BEVERLY HILLS, December 17, (THEWILL) – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday, upheld Russia’s ban from all major sporting events after a doping scandal but reduced the duration of the ban from four years to two.
Effectively, Russia will be unable to compete in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, set to be held next year, and football’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar by this decision.
The initial four-year ban was slammed on Russia by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). CAS warned that the reduction of the ban should not be seen “as any validation” of Russia’s conduct.
However, with the ban in place, Russia will be allowed to play at next year’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament. This is because European football’s governing body UEFA is not defined as a “major event organisation” with regards to rulings on anti-doping breaches.
In January 2019, WADA declared Russia’s Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) non-compliant for manipulating laboratory data handed over to investigators.
This was supposed to be Russia’s condition for its controversial reinstatement in 2018 after a three-year suspension for its vast state-sponsored doping scandal.
“The panel has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the non-compliance and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained,” CAS explained, as it announced the ruling.
“It has considered matters of proportionality and, in particular, the need to effect cultural change and encourage the next generation of Russian athletes to participate in clean international sport.”
Russia is also prevented from hosting international events during the same period. The ban will run until December 16, 2022.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
