A commission hired by WADA unveiled evidence today the Russian government sponsored widespread doping in that country’s track and field program, and has recommended Russia’s suspension from international competition just nine months ahead of the Rio Games. The WADA Exec Committee will meet Nov. 17 in Colorado Springs. Should the committee follow the commissions’ suggestion, the Russian track and field federation and the Russian anti-doping agency would be declared non-complaint and ineligible for international competitions. WADA also wants the IAAF to suspend Russia. Commission Chair Dick Pound left open the possibility of changes being made swiftly enough that Russia could still send a track and field team in Rio. But he cautioned it would be a hard path back into compliance. “It’s not a free ride,” said Pound, a Canadian member of the IOC. “It’s not going to be one of these things where you get a letter from the minister saying it’s all done. In the meantime, there’s a lot of follow-ups that have to be done. There are a lot of people who are going to have to walk the plank before this happens.” Russian leaders promptly denied the findings. Vladimir Uiba, the head of the agency that provides medical services to Russian national teams, called it a “politically motivated statement” linked to international sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict. Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko also denied wrongdoing. None of Monday’s findings addressed the alleged complicity of IAAF officials in hiding positive reports. French officials last week investigated retired IAAF President Lamine Diack and three other officials for taking money from the Russian federation to cover up positive doping tests. That chapter of the report was withheld while the criminal investigation continues.
