Russia contests 4-year WADA doping ban
Moscow, December 27
Russia today formally contested a 4-year ban from major sporting events over doping violations that President Vladimir Putin has condemned as “unjust,” the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency said.
“In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to the World Anti-Doping Agency. The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions,” RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow. However, Ganus warned that the legal challenge could backfire. The formal statement of disagreement with WADA will trigger an appeal process against the ban at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Ganus’ rigorous stance puts him at odds with his own government and supervisory board argued that Moscow needs to accept the sanctions and own up to its faults. — AFP
