The second part of Richard McLaren’s report investigating accusations of state-sponsored doping in Russia is now set to be released in mid-December.
It had been expected that the report would be published by the end of this month, but a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) statement confirmed the release date has now been pushed back.
“Professor Richard H. McLaren announces that he expects to release the ‘McLaren Investigation Report, Part II’, by mid-December 2016,” a WADA statement read.
“More details will follow in the weeks ahead.
“Professor McLaren was appointed by WADA, as the Independent Person, to head an investigative team charged with determining the facts with respect to allegations of Russian state manipulation of the doping control process, which were made by Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the former director of the WADA-accredited laboratory in Moscow.”
The first part of the McLaren report alleged a Government-backed scheme in Russia, which was said to include their home Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
The report claimed the Sports Ministry “directed, controlled and oversaw” a “unique” method of sample manipulation at Sochi 2014, involving a sample-swapping method where they were able to open and reseal supposed tamper-proof bottles.
Thirty sports were alleged to have been implicated in the swapping of samples to conceal positive tests, including summer ones not normally linked with doping like sailing, taekwondo and table tennis, as well as Paralympic sports.
The report led to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) imposing a blanket ban on Russia, ruling them out of competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics last month.
By contrast, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opted to defer the decision over the extent of participation of Russian athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympics to the International Federations (IFs).
Russia went on to claim 19 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals at the Olympic Games.
The second part of the McLaren report had initially been expected to be discussed at WADA’s next Foundation Board meeting on November 20 in Glasgow.
Recommendations made by the Olympic Summit in Lausanne earlier this month will be among the items on the agenda.
By Michael Pavitt
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.