A doping monitoring organization that had stuck to a strict stance made a major policy reversal. It is difficult to readily understand that decision.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has lifted the ban on Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA. Consequently, the possibility has emerged that Russian athletes will be able to fully take part in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
In 2015, WADA suspended RUSADA in response to suspicions of systematic doping in Russian athletics circles. In 2016, WADA also recognized that doping was orchestrated by the Russian government and made accepting the findings of an investigative report a condition for RUSADA being reinstated.
The Russian side, even today, still denies any state-led doping took place. The impression that the lifting of the ban is Russia getting more by holding out cannot be dismissed.
Moves by the International Olympic Committee seem to have had an influence on WADA's handling of this issue.
In December 2017, the IOC acknowledged there was systematic wrongdoing done by Russia and banned Russian athletes from competing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Around the same time, the IOC compiled a report whose findings claimed there was insufficient evidence showing doping was engineered by the Russian state. After the Pyeongchang Games, the IOC lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.
Strict testing system vital
In its latest move, WADA relaxed its conditions for dropping RUSADA's ban, namely having it accept the findings of the IOC report. WADA's executive committee approved the reinstatement on a 9-2 vote, with one abstention.
As things currently stand, it is unclear whether doping in Russia's sporting world has been cleaned up. It is unsurprising that athletes from many countries have heaped criticism on WADA for making this concession.
It appears WADA was dragged along by the IOC's will to normalize relations with Russia, a sporting powerhouse. WADA's vice president even said, "Today we made the wrong decision in protecting the integrity of sport and to maintain public trust in the anti-doping work."
This situation throws into question the very reason for this independent organization to exist.
Lifting the suspension comes with the condition that Russia turns over to WADA urine samples and data from drug-testing results at RUSADA's Moscow laboratory by the end of this year. RUSADA should be closely supervised to ensure it properly and fully completes these tasks.
Japan voted in support of lifting the suspension. While this indicates Japan's stance of wishing to have Russian athletes participate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, it must be said there are lingering doubts over this approach.
Of course, many countries should be allowed to take part in Tokyo's sporting extravaganza. However, a basic major premise for this is the athletes must be untainted by doping. It is important that the Tokyo Games' organizing committee and other entities display a steely resolve both domestically and internationally to ensure the Games are clean and redouble their efforts to put a rigorous testing system in place.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2018)
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
