Drug Free Sport New Zealand 'not surprised' as Russia misses deadline

  • 02/01/2019
Russia had to hand over data to WADA, but failed to do so.
Russia had to hand over data to WADA, but failed to do so. Photo credit: Getty

Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) says it's "dismayed,  but not surprised" after it was confirmed Russia's anti-doping agency missed the deadline to hand over data from its Moscow laboratory over to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Russia was set a December 31 deadline to comply, but WADA'S inspection team were denied full access to samples.

The country could now be at risk of another ban from international events after a state-sponsored doping scandal.

That is exactly what DFSNZ chief executive Nick Paterson believes should happen, and he's pushing WADA to take a stand against Russia's non-compliance.

"Once more we are dismayed but not surprised that Russia has missed another deadline. Despite WADA jumping through each hoop the Russians put forward and making a team available to go to the Russian lab, it has been clear that Russia had no intention of delivering on the requirements of the WADA deal of September 2018.

"Sadly there is no other option available to WADA but make RUSADA non-compliant once more. The time for negotiation and compromise is long past.

"We hold Kiwi athletes strictly accountable and expect them to comply with the rules.  We should do the same for countries. Clean sport and clean athletes deserve our support. It is time to stand strong, and all those involved in the fight against doping to stand together."

WADA will now refer the matter to the independent compliance review committee, which has its next meeting on January 14.

"I am bitterly disappointed that data extraction from the former Moscow laboratory has not been completed by the date agreed by WADA's ExCo in September 2018," WADA president Sir Craig Reedie said.

"Since then, WADA has been working diligently with the Russian authorities to meet the deadline, which was clearly in the best interest of clean sport."

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