Swimmers React Negatively To WADA Decision of RUSADA Reinstatement

Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA

With news about the World Anti-Doping Agency coming out that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency was being reinstated after a three-year suspension, many athletes were not too happy with the decision. Swimming superstars like Lilly King, Adam Peaty and Katie Ledecky shared their thoughts on social media while many others vented their dissatisfaction.

RUSADA was reinstated amid strict conditions put in place by the WADA Executive Committee:

Russia must ensure the data of the former Moscow Laboratory is handed over to WADA by no later than December 31, 2018.
WADA has also demanded that they be given the chance to re-analyze “any samples as required by WADA” no later than June 30, 2019.

In addition to these strict requirements, RUSADA must undergo a successful inspection carried out within four months to ensure RUSADA continues to meet compliance standards.

“There’s a lot of work ahead. There are conditions…in order to definitively be reinstated we need to meet these conditions. So it’s a conditional reinstatement,” Yuri Ganus, head of RUSADA told Reuters.

Very disappointed for the clean athletes who have to deal with the repercussions of this decision. Oh well, beating the cheaters straight up is more fun anyway??‍♀️ https://t.co/Ui0xxc4w1s

— Lilly King (@_king_lil) September 21, 2018

the worst thing about this tweet is that more people aren’t pissed off about it https://t.co/4uBGCYDwrd

— Connor Lee Jaeger (@conjaeg) September 20, 2018

"WADA understands that this decision will not please everybody." #DepartmentOfUnderstatement #WhatADisappointingAction https://t.co/f0zY73e49O

— Katie Ledecky (@katieledecky) September 21, 2018

This takes disappointment to a new level. https://t.co/zrBdTcM9P1

— Cody Miller (@swimiller) September 21, 2018

Lol https://t.co/pNqfvNwY2V

— James Guy (@Jimbob95goon) September 21, 2018

How to lose respect of all clean athletes real quick, nice one ?????? https://t.co/mxAPc9EpBB

— Adam Peaty MBE (@adam_peaty) September 20, 2018

Thanks for your leadership Travis. I'm so disappointed by WADA's decision https://t.co/bp6JqAC5aw

— Ryan Murphy (@ryan_f_murphy) September 21, 2018

Disgusting. So disappointed in this. It’s unfair to all of the athletes who train and compete clean. https://t.co/WKAnY7ytVQ

— Andrew Wilson (@awil5504) September 20, 2018

This is a disgrace https://t.co/CgpmGHwY2E

— Rowdy Gaines (@RowdyGaines) September 21, 2018

Reinstating Russia on a compromise would be an unbelievable show of weakness from WADA and so damaging to sport. I don’t understand how any leniency can be deemed acceptable when we’re dealing with the biggest and most corrupt doping scandal in history.

https://t.co/pcraDfDAuu

— Lizzie Simmonds (@LizzieSimmonds1) September 17, 2018

Amidst all the negativity, the International Paralympic Committee reacted positively to the reinstatement. The full statement from IPC president, Andrew Parsons can be read here.

“Since the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) was suspended in August 2016, Russia has not been allowed to compete in two Paralympic Games and several World and European Championships, covering some of the biggest sports in the Paralympic Movement.

During this time however, they have made significant progress and we are confident that the anti-doping system now in place in Russia is very different from the corrupted system that existed and polluted international sport.

Russian Para athletes are now amongst the most tested and scrutinized athletes in the world and, following WADA’s decision, this scrutiny will only increase further.”

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Kirsty Daby

5 years ago

Kate Ingamells

5 years ago

Reply to Kirsty Daby

Yep

Pro Women Fitness

5 years ago

That’s something

Daniel Dąbrowski

5 years ago

This decision is so disappointing… ?