WADA to Decide Russia's Fate Nov. 18

(ATR) The WADA Foundation Board will determine whether the Russian doping agency has been non-compliant during the Board's Nov. 18 meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

On Monday, WADA'sindependent commission report claims that systemic, state-supported doping of athletes occurred with the knowledge and consent of the All-Russia Athletics Federation and Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).

The independent commission, led my IOC member Richard Pound, recommended that RUSADA and the WADA-accredited Moscow laboratory be declared non-compliant and stripped of accreditation.

"The Commission found that there was a systematic level of doping that had been perpetuated in part by unscrupulous athlete support personnel in Russia," WADA said in a statement.

"The Commission cited a level of state influence in its findings, though it also expressly mentioned that Russia and athletics were not alone in their involvement with orchestrated doping in sport."

The WADA Foundation Board will analyze the 335-page independent commission report in the week leading up to their semi-annual meeting. Pound believes the board will agree with the recommendations put forth by the independent commission.

"The members have a copy of the report and I think it’s a pretty damning indictment of what has not been done" said Pound.

The Foundation Board will make its decision with the help of its newest member, United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. Lalovic became an IOC member in August and is replacing suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter as the IOC representative on the board.

Before the Foundation Board gets a chance to apply its verdict of the alleged violations, other organizations in the Olympic Movement have offered their comments on the developing situation.

The IOC, the body responsible for half of WADA’s funding, said that although the report brings about a sad day for sports, efforts to protect clean athletes must remain a top priority.

"We support the attempt of the independent commission to bring all the facts to light in the interest of the integrity of the sport and the protection of the clean athletes," the IOC said in a statement on Monday.

"The IOC will continue to take whatever measures needed to safeguard clean athletes, clean sport and good governance."

The IOC added they are fully confident in new IAAF president Sebastian Coe’s ability to lead the organization out of this scandal.

"The IOC trusts that the new leadership of the IAAF with its President Sebastian Coe will draw all the necessary conclusions and will take all the necessary measures."

Coe released a statement on behalf of the IAAF, acknowledging the federation would take the recommendations of the report seriously.

"The information in WADA's Independent Commissions Report is alarming," said Coe.

"We need time to properly digest and understand the detailed findings included in the report.

"However, I have urged the Council to start the process of considering sanctions against ARAF."

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) applauded the efforts of the independent commission while condemning the actions of its Russian counterparts.

"The evidence released today demonstrates a shocking level of corruption, and sends a clear message to Russia that they will not be allowed to cheat the world’s athletes and escape justice behind a wall of deception and lies," the USADA statement read.

Despite the great challenges IAAF and the Russian sport movement now face in order to regain their credibility on the world stage, Pound notes this is also a great opportunity to combat corruption and doping in sport.

"We hope Russia will seize the opportunity to move forward and take the lead in attacking a problem that has the potential to destroy sport," said Pound.

Written by KevinNutley

Homepage photo: The headquarters of the Russian Olympic Committee houses the ARAF. (Getty Images)

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