Russian anti-doping agency could face another suspension over altered data: report

Russia’s drug testing agency could face another suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over data supplied by the Russian agency that experts said had been manipulated.

The Associated Press reported Saturday that a person familiar with WADA’s internal affairs claimed that a report exists detailing how data supplied last year by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency may have been changed before it was sent to WADA.

{mosads}If Russia is deemed noncompliant, it could interfere with the country’s plans to participate in the next Olympic Games after the country was excluded from the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year accused Russia of operating a state-run doping program meant to improve Russia’s image on the global athletic stage, a scandal that has resulted in Russia being largely removed from the professional international sporting world.

WADA’s compliance review team is expected to meet on Monday, according to the AP, and could possibly review the report on Russia’s program.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which governs track and field, is also expected to review information in the coming weeks as it determines whether to readmit Russia’s national track team.

Last year, IOC’s president called Russia’s doping program an “attack” on the integrity of sports.

“This was an unprecedented attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and sport,” Thomas Bach said. “The IOC [Executive Board], after following due process, has issued proportional sanctions for this systemic manipulation while protecting the clean athletes. This should draw a line under this damaging episode and serve as a catalyst for a more effective anti-doping system led by WADA.”