RUSADA is not fully satisfied with today’s decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the claim of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Unfortunately, the Arbitrators found RUSADA to be inconsistent with the WADA Code and determined the conditions for the restoration of the Agency and the terms – up to two years.

Mikhail Bukhanov, Acting CEO of RUSADA

“It seems that not all the arguments presented by our lawyers were heard, but we fully welcome the responsible and reasonable approach of the arbitrators in relation to ‘pure’ Russian athletes, as well as to the principle of ‘collective responsibility’ imposed by WADA in relation to all Russian sports.

“Agreeing with the logic of RUSADA and other international sports organisations and refusing to let WADA impose sanctions on innocent Russian athletes, the arbitration process has shown justice in this landmark case for sports arbitration practice and has made a decision that meets the interests of the entire international sports community. Otherwise, the principle of ‘collective responsibility’ imposed by WADA, which fundamentally contradicts the foundations of the international Olympic Charter, could become a dangerous precedent threatening the entire Olympic movement.

“For example, it would be unlawful and absolutely unfair to deprive all drivers of their rights just because some of them were caught driving while intoxicated. So in this case – ‘clean’ athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of some unscrupulous athletes who committed anti-doping rule violations. The fact that WADA was unable to convince the CAS Arbitrators to punish ‘clean’ athletes from Russia and along with them, the Russian sports organisations and federations, is a victory for common sense, giving ‘clean’ athletes from other countries a chance to defend themselves.

“RUSADA, being recognised as inconsistent with the WADA Code, expresses its readiness to fulfill the conditions of restoration and cooperation with all international anti-doping structures, including WADA, which has publicly recognised the success of our agency in its current activities and named it as amongst the best anti-doping agencies.

• The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) published this media release on 17 December 2020. Click here for the original.