Illegal: WADA called for boycott of tournament in Russia, where Ukrainians were invited

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has called on international federations not to send their athletes to the so-called Friendship Games, which will be held in Russia in September and to which Ukrainians have been cynically invited. The organization called the competition illegal, as it will be held without WADA supervision.

This is stated on the official website of the agency following a meeting of the executive committee. The WADA noted that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) still does not meet the requirements of the WADA Code, and the system of combating the use of banned substances in Russia does not inspire any confidence.

"The members of the Executive Committee expressed concern about Russia's plans to hold unauthorized Friendship Games in September 2024. The event will not be held under the protection of WADA, and the health and fairness of athletes could be jeopardized. WADA calls on all signatories to the anti-doping code to exercise caution and not to legitimize this event. Russia currently does not have a WADA-accredited laboratory, and overall confidence in the anti-doping system in Russia remains low," the agency emphasized.

Earlier, the former head of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov, called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to permanently ban Russian symbols. He revealed the state system of using banned substances by Russian athletes. As a result of the investigation, Russia was stripped of 11 medals from the 2014 Sochi Games.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, IOC President Thomas Bach accused Russian dictator Vladimir Putin of legitimizing the use of doping by Russian athletes after he appeared with disqualified figure skater Kamila Valiyeva at the opening of the Future Games.

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