This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
On December 9, 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) made a landmark decision, banning Russia from all major global sporting events for four years due to manipulated doping data.
The ban has significant implications for Russian sport, as the country will now sit out the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded angrily to the decision, stating that Moscow had grounds to appeal WADA's decision, which he claimed violated the Olympic charter.
However, the ban does not affect Russia's participation in Euro 2020, as UEFA Euros are not considered 'major events' for anti-doping purposes.
Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as neutrals, provided they can demonstrate they were not part of the alleged State-sponsored doping system.
Additionally, Russia will still be allowed to compete in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but if they progress to the finals in Qatar, they will not be representing the Russian Federation, according to WADA director general Olivier Niggli.
