WADA suspects 298 athletes from Russia of doping violations

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspects 298 Russian athletes of violating anti-doping rules, reports . the press service of the organization

The agency notes that out of 578 doping samples from the Moscow laboratory, 150 samples were analyzed, which belong to 43 athletes. WADA has already sent the first data to international sports federations, which will check the information about the violation of anti-doping rules.

If the international federations do not find violations and decide not to open cases, then WADA promised to study these facts and discuss them with the federations. The agency noted that the organization can, if necessary, apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and also follow its decisions.

The press service added that the WADA department, together with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), told the athletes about the discovery of suspicious doping samples.

The head of WADA, Craig Reedy, previously suggested that more than 100 cases could be opened following the first full check of the Russians. All cases before the end of the year must be transferred to the relevant anti-doping organizations.

In 2015, after a doping scandal in Russian athletics, RUSADA was recognized as not complying with the WADA code, but three years later the agency's status was restored . At the same time, the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) is still disqualified until the end of the doping test , and athletes can compete in international competitions under a neutral flag.