Russian anti-doping agency banned for breaking Wada code

The World Anti-Doping Agency continued to crack down on Russia drug cheats on Wednesday by suspending the country's anti-doping agency amid calls to extend investigations to other countries and sports.

The decision to suspend the Russian Anti-Doping Agency for non-compliance had the full support of Wada's foundation board and follows the international anti-doping commission's report that detailed a widespread doping scandal in the country.

A Moscow lab which processed blood and urine samples from Russian athletes on behalf of the Russian athletics federation had already been decertified and handed a six-month provisional suspension.

A Wada disciplinary committee was appointed to look at a the possible longer suspension or recertification.

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Former Wada president Dick Pound, who headed the independent commission, said the probe found cover-ups, bribes to conceal positive tests, destruction of samples and evidence of Russian state security services of colluding with the country's athletics federation to enable athletes to freely dope.