The Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) is deeply concerned by the recommendation of the Supervisory Board of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to dismiss the RUSADA Director General, Yuriy Ganus based on an audit commissioned by the Russian Olympic Committee and Russian Paralympic Committee. Following the Russian doping scandal, under Yuriy’s leadership RUSADA had proven itself to be an active, valued, and eager participant in international anti-doping work.

It is crystal clear from this development that the notion of sports organizations auditing, even managing the outcomes, of anti-doping organisations presents a serious conflict of interest. It is disappointing to learn that the Supervisory Board of RUSADA did not address WADA’s questions about how and why the audit was carried out and failed again to clarify the motives of this recommendation.

The world of sport needs an active and competent Russian Anti-Doping Organisation to operate, and the recommendation to dismiss the organisation’s head under unclear circumstances raises questions about the commitment of Russian sport to safeguard the independence of its own National Anti-Doping Agency. iNADO understands the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is monitoring the situation and will rigorously assess the potential consequences of this decision to RUSADA’s compliance. iNADO awaits the result of WADA’s assessment with interest.

• This media release was published by the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO) on 7 August 2020. Click here for the original.