Russia suggests WADA appoint foreign expert at Moscow anti-doping lab

Berlin, May 14 (IANS) Russia has suggested to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that a foreign specialist take the helm at the currently suspended Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said.

"We have offered WADA to appoint a foreign specialist as the director of our (Moscow anti-doping) laboratory," Mutko said on Friday.

Russian sports was in the centre of doping-related scandals since last year. Starting this year doping control in Russian sports has been exercised by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) strictly under the supervision of the British anti-doping agency (UKAD), reports Tass.

WADA’s Independent Commission published on November 9 last year results of its probe into the activity of the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, the RUSADA and the Russian Sports Ministry.

The commission accused certain athletes and sports officials of doping abuse and involvement in other activities related to violations of international regulations on performance enhancing substances.

RUSADA and the Moscow anti-doping laboratory subsequently suspended their activities, while WADA’s Board of Founders approved the finding of the agency’s Independent Commission that RUSADA did not comply with the Code of the international anti-doping organization.