Press release from the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, following the publication of the report of the independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

THE SWISS LABORATORY FOR DOPING ANALYSES (LAD) OF THE CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE VAUDOIS LAUSANNE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (CHUV) DEFENDS THE UNAUTHORISED DESTRUCTION OF SAMPLES FROM RUSSIA ALLEGED BY THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA). A BRANCH OF CHUV HAS SET UP A PROBE INTO THIS EVENT.

In November 2012, the LAD was mandated by WADA to analyse 67 samples from the anti-doping analysis laboratory in Moscow. Of these 67 samples, 55 met the technical criteria for reliable analysis. They were immediately analysed by the Lausanne team. At the end of November 2012, the LAD reported the results of its analyses to WADA.

In March 2013, in accordance with the procedures in laboratories accredited by WADA, the latter was advised in writing that the LAD had completed the destruction of 55 samples.

Following no information to the contrary, neither in writing nor orally from WADA, the LAD considered that the mandate was completed in compliance with the procedures. It was only later, contrary to what is stated in the report of the Independent Commission, that the LAD was informed by WADA of the need to explain documented destruction of the samples.

The CHUV Branch to which the LAD is part has opened a probe to shed light on this event. It immediately commissioned a probe to identify the role and responsibilities of the actual laboratory.

The survey results will be communicated on the completion of the investigation.

• This press release was originally published, in French, by the Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV) / The Lausanne University Hospital on 12 November 2015. To access the original, please click here.