Russia risks missing lab access deadline\, RUSADA head says

Russia risks missing lab access deadline, RUSADA head says

AP  |  Moscow 

The risks missing a deadline to allow access to the at the center of the country's doping scandals, the of the country's anti-doping agency said Friday.

A deal between the and the allowed the agency, known as RUSADA, to be reinstated in September in return for data from the lab by the end of 2018.

"I am feeling worried about how the situation is developing regarding access to the Moscow lab," told the agency.

He added that talks on how access should be granted have so far failed to agree on who exactly should be allowed into the lab and progress is needed "rapidly" as the board prepares to meet next week. If fails to uphold its promise, Ganus said, "we will lose trust, if not forever, then for many years."

Ganus said he offered his help to Russian law enforcement, which sealed off the lab in 2016, but didn't get an answer.

If fails to give the lab data on time, or provide samples requested by WADA, then could be suspended again. Under new rules, that would make it much harder for to host major events.

Access to the lab is also a key condition for the reinstatement of Russia's banned track and field team, which was suspended in 2015 for widespread doping. Since then, top Russians have competed as neutral athletes.

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First Published: Fri, November 09 2018. 16:00 IST