WADA calls for Russia to be banned from Olympics after evidence of state-sponsored doping
A report from the organisation found evidence of Russian-sponsored doping from late 2011 to August 2015.
The World Anti-Doping Agency called on all Russian athletes to be banned from the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on Monday after a fresh report from the organisation found evidence of a state-sponsored doping programme in the country from late 2011 to August 2015.
"WADA recommends to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to consider, under their respective Charters, to decline entries, for Rio 2016, of all athletes submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and the Russian Paralympic Committee," said a statement from the anti-doping agency. "Furthermore, any exceptional entry of a Russian athlete should be considered by the IOC and IPC for participation under a neutral flag and in accordance with very strict criteria."
The WADA report found evidence that the state was actively involved in ensuring that its athletes were not caught doping, ensuring that samples positive for banned substances would go missing.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach has pledged to enforce the "toughest sanctions available". The IOC will make a decision on the matter on Tuesday.