‘Deeply sceptical and worried’: Wada wary of Russia’s anti-doping practices

An exterior view of the Russian Olympic Committee headquarters and the Russian Athletics Federation office in Moscow. Photograph: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA

The World Anti-Doping Agency says it remains “deeply sceptical and worried” about Russia’s anti-doping practices as some of its athletes prepare to compete as neutrals at this year’s Olympics.

Speaking at his organisation’s annual symposium in Lausanne, Wada’s president, Witold Banka, confirmed Russia’s anti-doping agency (Rusada) and the International Testing Agency were collecting samples from Russian athletes, who could compete in Paris if they qualify and do not support the war in Ukraine.