- The World Anti-Doping Agency has reported that a number of Russian athletes have been banned from competing at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics because of suspicions of their using strength-enhancing drugs
- Several years ago, the Anti-Doping Agency revealed that Russia had conducted a state-sponsored doping program from 2011 to 2015, involving more than 1,000 athletes
- However, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said the banning of Russian athletes had more to do with politics than cheating
TOKYO, Japan: The World Anti-Doping Agency has reported that a number of Russian athletes have been banned from competing at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics because of suspicions of their using strength enhancing drugs.
Russia has 335 athletes competing at the Tokyo Games.
Several years ago, the Anti-Doping Agency revealed that Russia had conducted a state-sponsored doping program from 2011 to 2015, involving more than 1,000 athletes.
Further, during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia, the Anti-Doping Agency discovered that Russian officials submitted urine samples for athletes that were cleaned of drugs.
At that time, the Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia from international competition for four years.
Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka told the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday that it worked in collaboration with international federations to prevent Russian athletes or staff with “clear evidence of cheating” in the past from participating in the Tokyo Games.
However, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the Anti-Doping Agency of being controlled by the West and said the banning of Russian athletes had more to do with politics than cheating.
