WADA urged to postpone decision regarding Russia; push for access to Moscow Lab data to ensure Kiwi athletes can have faith in international anti-doping system

Drug Free Sport New Zealand CEO Nick Paterson agrees with other International doping leaders that WADA should postpone its decision to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). “Kiwi athletes are expected to keep to the letter of the law, which can be uncompromising at times. They deserve to know that the rules are applied to everyone equally, no matter who you are, and that the system is robust.” He says he feels an obligation to Kiwi athletes to hold other counties to account. “My aim is to get international competitors tested and held to the same standards as often and with as much rigour as our Kiwi athletes. We’re fighting as hard as we can to give Kiwi athletes and sports fans confidence in the world anti-doping system.”

Mr Paterson says “It may be that Russia’s acknowledgement of the Schmid Report on state-sponsored doping is as close as we’re going to get to an admission” of the extent of sports doping. He stresses that “access to the Moscow Laboratory data and samples is critical to ensure athletes and sports fans can have confidence in the integrity of sport.”

“There were two remaining conditions that were part of the WADA roadmap before Russia could be readmitted. To ensure that we have a robust anti-doping system, our focus needs to be on ensuring that the second, more critical condition of access to the Moscow Laboratory is met. Receiving the analytical data from the Moscow Lab will allow anti-doping rule violations to be pursued, and justice to be sought for clean athletes. “

Further information:
• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Compliance Review Committee has recommended that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) be reinstated. WADA are due to meet on Thursday 20 September.
• International Anti-Doping leaders are calling on WADA to postpone its decision to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency until Russia can prove that it has fulfilled the WADA Roadmap.
• Read the statement of International Doping Leaders here. The recommendation of WADA’s Compliance Review Committee has been criticised by athletes and by the United States Anti-Doping Agency Chief Executive Travis Tygart.
• The Russian Government has yet to provide appropriate access for WADA to the stored urine samples in the Moscow Laboratory. WADA has set out clear requirements for this in their letter of 22 June 2018.
About DFSNZ:
DFSNZ is New Zealand’s national anti-doping organisation committed to protecting and promoting a culture of clean sport.
We implement New Zealand’s Sports Anti-Doping Rules, which reflect the World Anti-Doping Code and includes the Prohibited List, published annually. We help athletes to understand and follow these rules and take action against those who break these rules.
Our work comprises three key components:
- education through athlete resources, outreach programmes, seminars and research
- regulation through our testing and investigations programme
- influence to help create a culture of clean sport in New Zealand and to ensure anti-doping rules reflect the needs of our athletes.

To aid New Zealand athletes, as well as all support team members such as coaches and parents in understanding the rules applicable to them, DFSNZ provides comprehensive information on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

In addition, DFSNZ conducts educational seminars with National Sporting Organisations and their athletes, offers three Clean Sport E-Learning programmes, Good Clean Sport workshops and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the 2018 Clean Sport Handbook and 2018 Clean Sport wallet cards.
www.drugfreesport.org.nz

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