In the latest development of the ongoing saga at the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), Director-General Ramil Khabriev has stepped down as head of the agency. His resignation comes just as a WADA commission arrived in Moscow to begin its work of ensuring that anti-doping functions continue while RUSADA serves its suspension.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspended RUSADA and Russia’s accredited testing laboratory a month ago, after a damning report from a WADA Independent Commission that described a systemic failure which paved the way for widespread doping violations and corruption. Also following the report, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) voted 30-1 to suspend Russia from international competition, putting a question mark on Russia’s track and field athletes’ participation in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The Russian Sports Ministry announced that Khabriev presented his resignation at a meeting of RUSADA’s founders, including Russian sports organizations and government entities. Meanwhile, the British anti-doping agency, UKAD, has confirmed in a statement that it will be part of the team assisting RUSADA:
“UKAD has been asked by WADA to be part of an evaluation visit to Russia to support WADA explore the ways and means of how an anti-doping programme can be run during a period of non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.”
Russian Sports Ministry said RUSADA will have a new supervisory board, made up of individuals with no links to sport, to oversee its activities and guarantee its independence.