Seminar leads to creation of new Anti-Doping Task Force in Russia

The purpose of the seminar was to objectively discuss the doping situation in Russia based upon IAAF statistics, the national and international programmes already implemented respectively by ARAF, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the IAAF, and new proposals for further measures to be taken.

Underlying the Russian government’s commitment to the fight against doping in sport Deputy Minister of Sports Yury Nagornykh officially opened the seminar.

ARAF President Valentin Balakhnichev, who is IAAF Treasurer, Gabriel Dollé Director of the IAAF Medical and Anti-Doping Department, Natalia Zhelanova of the Sports Ministry and Dr Sergey Portugalov Chief of the ARAF Medical Commission, were among the principal speakers.

The outcome of the seminar which was targeted at coaches, athletes, team doctors, managers and officials was the creation of a joint Anti-Doping Task Force between the ARAF, IAAF and the Russian Ministry of Sport. Its mission is to put in place an Anti-Doping Action Plan with concrete measures to be taken and implemented in order to improve the Russian anti-doping programme within a one-year timeline.

An additional meeting was held in Moscow to discuss further cooperation and data sharing with RUSADA.

IAAF