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Statement of President Hansen on WADA Independent Person Investigation of Sochi Allegations Report

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The report released yesterday by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has added damning detail of government involvement to what was already known about systematic doping and cover up activities across a number of sports, including athletics, in Russia.

The information and conclusions provided by Professor Richard McLaren and his investigative team have confirmed the correctness of the IAAF’s recent decision to uphold the suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation (RUSAF), first imposed on 13 November 2015, and highlighted the strong leadership demonstrated by the sport of athletics in the fight against this most serious threat.

While the focus now and in the coming days is rightly on whether the country’s competitors will or will not be eligible to take part in next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, we must not lose sight of the bigger story, which is the profound cultural, organisational and procedural changes required before all sports can confidently welcome clean sportsmen and sportswomen from Russia to future international events.

As a member of the IAAF Council I will be pushing on behalf of all athletes and Member Federations in Europe for speedy clarification about the impact of the report’s findings on the results of the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the 139 so called “disappearing positive” test results in athletics and any other implications for our sport. I will be working closely with President Coe to ensure these points receive all due attention and discussion at the next Council meeting and will give my full support to the IAAF Medical and Anti-Doping Department staff for their work.

We have a duty to work with RUSAF and with others in Russia on a rehabilitation process that however long and difficult it proves will be absolutely essential for the future credibility of athletics and all sport.

At the same time, we in European Athletics will continue our work on the various measures in this field that have been previously outlined under our “I Run Clean” initiative.

On behalf of European Athletics I want to thank Prof McLaren, WADA and everyone involved in the investigation for their important contributions to clean sport.

*Statement amended to reflect the fact that RUSAF is currently suspended as a member federation of IAAF and European Athletics.




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