The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) would like to update stakeholders regarding the joint efforts being made to help the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) during their period of non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). On 18 November 2015, the WADA Foundation Board declared RUSADA non-compliant with the Code. Soon thereafter, in December, a team of experts from WADA and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) met in Moscow, along with RUSADA and the Russian Ministry of Sport, to explore the ways and means that an effective anti-doping program could run during RUSADA’s non-compliance with the Code.

WADA is pleased to confirm that an agreement between UKAD, RUSADA and WADA has been signed. RUSADA and UKAD are in the final stages of agreeing on the detail required to deliver a testing programme during RUSADA’s period of non-compliance.

As part of the project, UKAD will initiate a Test Distribution Plan (TDP) to ensure that the necessary testing takes place during RUSADA’s period of non-compliance. UKAD will ensure that targeted and intelligence-led testing is carried out on Russian athletes, and is responsible for continued coordination with the appropriate sport federations during this period. Results management of all cases will be managed by a designated independent body, with full oversight by WADA.

Separately, WADA is working directly with RUSADA, assisting the agency in its efforts to regain Code compliance. WADA will make no further comment at this time.

• This media release was originally published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 9 February 2016. To access the original, please click here.