The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s Independent Commission (IC) has announced that it will hold a Press Conference at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday 9 November at 15.00 CET.
During the Press Conference, IC Chair Richard W. Pound will present the findings of his Commission’s Report surrounding allegations of doping in sport, as first raised during ARD’s December 2014 documentary titled ‘Top secret doping – how Russia makes its winners?’.
The IC Report will also be made public via WADA’s website on Monday at approximately 15.00 CET, excluding, for the time being, the extension of its mandate added in August and those portions relating to the matters now under police investigation, which are expected to be available before the end of the year.
Mr. Pound, who was the Founding President of the [link id=”340″ tax=”post_tag” text=”World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)” target=”_blank” target=”_blank”] and former IOC Vice President, will be joined by fellow IC members Professor Richard H. McLaren – Legal Counsel with significant experience in the world of international sports law; longstanding member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and Günter Younger – Head of Department Cybercrime with Bavarian Landeskriminalamt (LKA).
Allegations
On 11 December 2014, WADA launched the IC to investigate the validity of allegations of doping practices; corrupt practices around sample collection and results management; and, other ineffective administration of anti-doping processes that implicate Russia, the IAAF, athletes, coaches, trainers, doctors and other members of athletes’ entourages; as well as, the accredited laboratory based in Moscow and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).
As per the terms of its mandate, the IC was scheduled to deliver its report to WADA’s President [link id=”341″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Sir Craig Reedie”] by 31 December 2015.
The role of the IC Commission was extended by WADA in August 2015 following the release of the documentary titled ‘Doping – Top Secret: The Shadowy World of Athletics’, which contained new allegations regarding widespread doping in international athletics.
The documentary alleged that ARD and The Sunday Times obtained a leaked database, belonging to the [link id=”175″ tax=”post_tag” text=”International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)”], which contained more than 12,000 blood tests from around 5,000 athletes in the years 2001 to 2012.
The IC will not be reporting on its findings from these latest allegations, however, at its 9 November Press Conference because its investigation into these particular allegations is still ongoing.
