IOC slams anti-doping body as Games loom

RIO DE JANEIRO: International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Tuesday (2 Aug ) demanded a sweeping overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Tuesday as Russian appeals against bans mounted just three days from the opening of the Rio Games.

Bach rejected the “nuclear option” of ordering a complete ban on Russian athletes over accusations of widespread state-organised doping. Two swimmers could be told on Tuesday whether their demand to be allowed to compete has been successful.

In a strongly-worded speech to the IOC, Bach called for WADA to be subjected to a thorough review, laying bare a growing rift between Olympic chiefs and the body responsible for leading the global fight against doping.

“Recent developments have shown that we need a full review of the WADA anti-doping system,” Bach said.

“The IOC is calling for a more robust and efficient anti-doping system. This requires clear responsibilities, more transparency, more independence and better worldwide harmonisation.”

A bombshell report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren for WADA released last month accused Russia of organising state-backed doping with the sports ministry using secret services to evade drug testers and cover-up positive tests stretching back years. Bach and the IOC came under fire after resisting calls to ban Russia completely from Rio. The IOC ordered individul federations to decide which Russians should be banned.

At least 117 competitors on a 387 Russian Olympic Committee entry list have been excluded. Bach said the “nuclear option” of a blanket ban was unacceptable. “The result is death and devastation. This is not what the Olympic movement stands for,” Bach told delegates who voted overwhelming.

Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution backing the IOC’s decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russia’s athletes.

Several delegates blasted WADA. Argentine IOC member Gerardo Werthein accused WADA of “grand-standing.”

“At times WADA has seemed to be more interested in publicity and self-promotion rather than doing its job as a regulator, acting with transparency, and looking after the best interest of clean athletes,” Werthein told the meeting.AFP