This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issued a warning to Russia, stating that it risks being excluded from the Olympics, world championships, and hosting any major sporting event.
The warning comes after discrepancies and inconsistencies were recorded in a WADA lab database, with evidence suggesting that data was deleted from the database.
According to WADA's Compliance Panel chairman Jonathan Taylor, Russia has been given a maximum of three weeks to explain the inconsistencies or risk severe consequences.
As reported in 2016, Russia operated a state-sponsored doping program, which involved manipulating athlete's urine samples. The program was referred to as the 'Disappearing Positive Methodology,' where samples would mysteriously disappear, allowing athletes to prepare well for upcoming major championships.
Early this year, Russia handed over information from its laboratories in Moscow as a condition for re-integration into the sport after a three-year suspension. However, on September 23, 2019, WADA settled on opening compliance proceedings against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, stating that the data provided by Russian authorities had been manipulated.
