WADA engages International experts to assist RUSADA

Montreal, 25 April 2016 – The two independent experts have been confirmed as Peter Nicholson from Australia who specialises in international criminal investigations and who was also part of the 2015 Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC); and Ieva Lukosiute-Stanikuniene, the Director of the Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency and Chair of the Council of Europe Advisory Group on Education.

Nicholson, who will be the lead expert spearheading the project to redevelop RUSADA, begins his two-year mandate with immediate effect. Lukosiute-Stanikuniene will begin her mandate on 25 May 2016 .

"Engaging Peter Nicholson and Ieva Lukosiute-Stanikuniene is a critical step on the road to recovery for the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA)," said WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie. "WADA is pleased that they have accepted the challenge of helping rebuild the agency. Appointing the experts was a central part of the agreed "road map", and it is a vital step forward in ensuring that athlete and public trust returns to the Russian anti-doping system and Russian sport," he added.

As part of their responsibility to rebuild RUSADA, the experts are tasked with ensuring the organization acts fully independently and without external interference, a key recommendation from WADA’s Independent Commission. They will be required to report to WADA on a regular and ongoing basis regarding the progress RUSADA has made in its efforts to become a compliant anti-doping organization.

WADA can also confirm that an independent international expert from the Council of Europe, Mr. Sergey Khrychkov, has been appointed by WADA to join the newly-formed RUSADA Board. This was one of the requirements set by WADA as part of the roadmap to rebuild the agency.

Meanwhile, testing of Russian athletes continues under the agreement signed by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), RUSADA and WADA in February. UKAD is ensuring that targeted and intelligence-led testing is being carried out on Russian athletes inside and outside of the country; and, is responsible for continued coordination with the appropriate sport federations during RUSADA’s period of non compliance. The results management of cases continues to be managed by a designated independent testing body, with full oversight by WADA.

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E-mail: ben.nichols@wada-ama.org

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