The major sporting power Russia is now officially taking action against the four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). "We sent a number of documents to the Wada today, including a message that we did not accept the sanctions," said Yuri Ganus, head of the Russian anti-aoping agency Rusada. There is now a month-long legal battle ahead that could last until the Olympic Games in Tokyo (July 24 to August 9).
Russia had already announced this step last week. The rest of the process requires Wada to call the Cas International Sports Court to enforce the sanctions. Since the objection has a suspensive effect, the sanctions do not become final at first.
Ganus, who most recently received attention as a critic of the Russian sports system and sports officials, also wrote his own letter to the Wada in which he made his personal attitude clear. "I regret to inform you that all my attempts to make changes to the Rusada Communication have failed," he wrote. He also told the French news agency AFP that it was "practically impossible" to act against the Wada lock.
Walking in front of the cas for Russia is not without risk
On December 9, the Wada had decided on extensive sanctions against Russia for manipulating data from the Moscow control laboratory. In addition to suspending the Rusada, Russia, among other things, as a nation is not allowed to participate in or host certain major sporting events such as the Olympic Games or World Championships. However, Russian athletes may start as "neutral athletes" at these events under certain conditions.
The step chosen by Russia is not without risk. The cas could impose even tougher sanctions than the wada. When the procedure in front of the Cas is opened is still completely open. Also how long it will take. Sports law expert Michael Lehner recently doubted that this would happen before the opening ceremony in Tokyo.
