Russia could miss 2018 Winter Olympics after WADA obtains doping database

Nov 10 (Reuters) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Friday it had obtained a database that confirmed allegations of widespread state-sponsored doping in Russia made in the McLaren report.WADA said it was confident the file acquired by its Investigations and Intelligence department is the Moscow anti-doping laboratory’s testing data from January 2012-August 2015.Despite repeated calls for Russia to cooperate with international bodies to stamp out doping, Russian authorities have always denied the state’s role in the scandal.READ MORE: Putin suggests doping scandal is U.S. meddling in upcoming Russian electionWADA said it was finalizing the forensic analysis of the enormous backup file and expected to provide more information at its executive committee and foundation board meetings in Seoul on Nov. 15-16.The doping agency said it had briefed the International Olympic Committee’s Schmid and Oswald Commissions, which are conducting investigations into Russian doping.The new information could be a damaging blow to Russia’s chances of competing at February’s Pyeongchang Winter Games.The IOC has said it will decide at its executive board meeting from Dec. 5-7 on the participation of Russian competitors in Pyeongchang.WATCH: Russian officials admit to state-sponsored doping conspiracy

2:30 Russian officials admit to state-sponsored doping conspiracy

Last year, a WADA commissioned report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren found that more than 1,000 Russian competitors in more than 30 sports were involved in a conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests over a period of five years.Investigations also uncovered sample tampering at the Sochi Olympics, including the switching of samples through a hole in the laboratory wall.Russia escaped a blanket ban at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro although it was, and remains, barred from competing in international athletics events.READ MORE: Russian anti-doping agency denies admitting to Olympic dopingThe country’s Paralympic Committee and anti-doping agency RUSADA are also still suspended over the doping scandals.

New intelligence

WADA said its independent Compliance Review Committee on Friday was considering the new intelligence, which will shape the recommendation it intends to make to the foundation board on whether to declare RUSADA compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.“WADA continues to stand firmly behind the outcomes of the Agency’s independent McLaren Investigation,” WADA president Craig Reedie said in a statement.WATCH: Russia’s sports doping program involved thousands of athletes

3:13 Russia’s sports doping program involved thousands of athletes

“This new intelligence serves to reinforce our requirement of Russian authorities that they too publicly accept the outcomes; so that, we can all move forward in rebuilding public trust and confidence in Russian sport.”One of the conditions placed on Russia before it could be rule compliant was that authorities responsible for the country’s anti-doping program, including the Ministry of Sport and the National Olympic Committee, publicly accept the outcomes of the McLaren Investigation, which uncovered widespread state-sponsored doping at the Sochi Olympics.READ MORE: IOC president Bach enraged by scale of Russian doping scandalBut in recent days Russian officials have pushed back on doping allegations, arguing that they have been politically motivated.Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested on Thursday that allegations of a state-sponsored doping program in Russia were an attempt to sow discontent ahead of the country’s presidential elections and retaliation for alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election.