Russian doping: Summary of WADA report

"The investigation has confirmed the existence of widespread cheating (in Russia) through the use of doping substances and methods to ensure, or enhance the likelihood of, victory for athletes and teams," says the report.

"The cheating was done by the athletes’ entourages, officials and the athletes themselves. Evidence of extensive doping use is supported and confirmed by audio and video evidence, scientific evidence, corroborative statements, cyber analysis and related reporting documents."

The report points the finger at coaches who sought to manipulate or interfere with doping tests, and says there was "a collective disregard" for athletes’ health.

- Systemic cheating -The report blasted "a deeply-rooted culture of cheating," which involved collusion at almost every level as well as an organised coverup that included the destruction of more than 1,400 samples by Moscow lab officials.

"(...) The acceptance of cheating at all levels is widespread and of long standing. Many of the more egregious offenders appear to be coaches who, themselves, were once athletes and who work in connection with medical personnel. This ‘win at all costs’ mentality was then passed to current athletes, whether willing to participate or not."

It added: "This acceptance and, at times, expectation of cheating and disregard for testing and other globally accepted anti-doping efforts, indicate a fundamentally flawed mindset that is deeply ingrained in all levels of Russian athletics. The mindset is 'justified' on the theory that everyone else is cheating as well."

- Role of state -"While written evidence of government involvement has not been produced, it would be naïve in the extreme to conclude that activities on the scale discovered could have occurred without the explicit or tacit approval of Russian governmental authorities," says the report.

“(...) Witness statements and other evidence allegedly exposed high levels of collusion among athletes, coaches, doctors, regulatory officials, and sports agencies to systematically provide Russian athletes performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in order to achieve the state’s main goal... producing winners."

The Russian ministry of sport, it adds, "did nothing to investigate the serious allegations of criminal conduct on the part of Russian sport officials."

- Suspension call -The panel calls for athletics' governing body (IAAF) to suspend Russia's athletics body (ARAF) and declare it "non-compliant" with globally agreed doping regulations. 

It recommends that five Russian athletes -- including 800m Olympic winner Mariya Savinova -- be given lifetime bans.

The Moscow anti-doping laboratory should be stripped of its accreditation and its director fired, the commission adds.

- Breaking the silence -"A strong culture of silence exists and is rigorously enforced within the circle of cheating, even among the victims of cheating," the report says.

"(...) Whistleblowers, therefore, are an important element in the fight against doping in sport. The Code encourages means to make it easy and safe for whistleblowers to provide information. WADA, for example, provides and finances a Hot Line for that purpose."

- Interpol -The panel says it has handed on "certain results" of its investigations to Interpol, including "corruption and bribery practices at the highest levels of international athletics."

 "Interpol has agreed to launch an integrated inquiry into the criminal nature of actions on the part of a number of actors appearing in the course of the investigations."

- Russia not only culprit -Other countries and other sports are also tainted by murky dealings, says the panel.

"Although the IC [Independent Commission] report and recommendations are confined to Russia and athletics, the IC wishes to make it clear that, in its considered view, Russia is not the only country, nor athletics the only sport, facing the problem of orchestrated doping in sport."

AFP