The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that Russian athletes hoping to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will face increased independent testing. Their samples will also be analysed outside Russia because the country currently does not have a WADA-accredited laboratory.
The stricter approach is linked to the long-standing concerns surrounding Russia’s anti-doping system. A state-supported doping programme was uncovered following the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, leading to many athletes being suspended, excluded from competitions and stripped of medals. WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said the organisation would remain highly vigilant to reassure other athletes that the testing process is reliable.
Russian athletes who are likely to qualify for the Olympics will undergo several tests before competing, depending on the risks associated with their sport. The testing process will be managed independently by the International Testing Agency (ITA), rather than being controlled directly by Russia’s national anti-doping organisation, RUSADA.
Concerns about Russia’s anti-doping system were further increased by the case of figure skater Kamila Valieva, who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 at the age of 15. RUSADA has also repeatedly been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and remains non-compliant today.
Despite these concerns, WADA said there is currently no specific evidence suggesting that Russian athletes are involved in a new doping system. WADA President Witold Banka explained that RUSADA cannot currently be fully assessed because an in-person audit in Moscow is required, but this has been prevented by the war in Ukraine and the wider political situation.
The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee in July, allowing Russian athletes to take part in qualification events under the rules of their individual sports. However, decisions about whether Russian athletes will be allowed to use the Russian flag, anthem and national colours at the Los Angeles Games will be made later.
WADA stressed that independent anti-doping controls will be important for maintaining trust and protecting clean athletes at the 2028 Olympics.
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