The Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) is deeply concerned by the control that the Russian Olympic and Paralympic Committee exercise over the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). This was made evident today in the dismissal of Yuriy Ganus as Director General by these two organisations.

The clean sport movement’s effectiveness rests on anti-doping organisations’ ability to maintain full independence, with no interference from sport. It is, therefore, a clear conflict of interest when sport organisations have the power to remove the head of a national anti-doping agency unopposed.

The backbone of iNADO – and what we have consistently called for throughout this challenging period for the clean sport movement – is Good Governance in anti-doping. Today’s episode demonstrates a lack of independence in RUSADA – independence is vital if Russian and international athletes are to hold confidence in the system. Sport needs credible and competent anti-doping organisations and iNADO today calls on WADA to work with the founders of RUSADA and improve its governance structure.

• This media release was published by the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) on 28 August 2020. Click here for the original.