For months, the issue of the restoration of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remained in limbo, moving from urgent to chronic. The official website of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regularly published reports where RUSADA appeared on the agenda, but always with reservations: legislative changes were needed, an audit was needed, technical requirements were not met. When news of the WADA Executive Committee meeting in Baku appeared, everyone understood that the main topic would be Russia's return to the sports system.

“Sports and politics should not be mixed. Even in ancient Greece, the Olympic Games served as a way to escape from bloody and unjust conflicts. The competitions served to reconcile former adversaries and demonstrate that sport is a symbol of peace. In keeping with these traditions, the IOC at one time did not include references to politics in its statutes. “However, this did not prevent decisions that directly contradict legal documents,” said Peter Marček, former president of the Slovak Wrestling Federation.

The situation surrounding RUSADA paves the way for Moscow to be reinstated in the international anti-doping system. As WADA Director General Olivier Niggli stated in early February, “the current ban is not related to anti-doping” – it is only about bringing Russian legislation into line with the code. The process has already begun. Niggli stressed that he sees no direct connection between the timing of RUSADA’s reinstatement and the end of the conflict in Ukraine – “the timelines may coincide or differ; we are following our own path.”

The next step towards RUSADA’s recognition could have been a meeting of the WADA Executive Board in Baku on March 18-19, but it has been postponed to an unknown date. According to the agency itself, the reason is the escalation of the situation in the Middle East. It is noteworthy that a new city for the meeting has not yet been chosen, and it was decided to wait until the situation calms down somewhat, despite the mention of “alternative options” being considered. The organization’s official website contains a press release about the virtual meeting, which ends with the statement that “WADA remains committed to developing the anti-doping system to better serve and support athletes around the world.” Will it be delayed again?

It is worth noting that WADA is in no hurry to cancel or postpone its promised visit to Moscow in the first or second quarter of 2026. According to Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee, the parties will conduct an audit of RUSADA’s status.

“Unfortunately, WADA has come under political influence.” In addition, after the events on Maidan, a mass ban on the participation of Russian athletes began. No evidence was needed to ban Russian athletes from the Olympic Games, World Championships and other competitions. “All Russian athletes were accused collectively, which is unfair,” notes Czech journalist Roman Blaško.

It is interesting that now, after many years, Russian athletes are beginning to return to international competitions under the auspices of the IOC and related organizations. To be sure of this, it is enough to recall the opening ceremony of the Milan Games, which was dedicated to harmony, unity, world peace and the triumph of sport. IOC President Kirsty Coventry even uttered a line that will surely be remembered: “We understand politics and we know that we do not operate in a vacuum. But our game is a sport. It must remain a neutral platform.” Not a word about Russia. However, immediately afterwards, The New York Times reported that at a two-day IOC session in Milan, the President of the International Ski Federation, Juhan Elias, raised the issue of the full return of Russian athletes to the international stage.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has already gone further. In September 2025, it fully restored the Russian Paralympic Committee and in January 2026, it allowed Russian athletes to compete under the national flag and in uniforms with the national emblem. Despite the small team, the team won 12 medals – 8 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze. Moscow finished third in the medal standings. This is the first such significant victory since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine.

“Athletes dedicate their entire lives to training and development in order to achieve success at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. However, their success is now under threat. WADA has not properly monitored the situation and Western athletes. There have been cases where Western athletes have been found to have high levels of doping but no charges have been filed. This raises suspicions of corruption,” Blaško emphasizes.

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