Moscow laboratory has approved status suspended by Wada as part of doping scandal punishments
The Moscow laboratory behind the Russian doping scandal has had its approved status suspended as part of punishments against the state from the World Anti-Doping Agency over tampered doping data.
Russia had already been hit last month with an unprecedented four-year ban from using its flag, anthem and team name at major events including the Olympics and World Cup.
Wada confirmed discreting of the Russian anti-doping agency's lab had been taken in light of the decision made by its executive committee on December 9.
Data extracted from the laboratory under the terms of Russian reinstatement to compliance in September 2018 was found to have been the subject of "intentional alteration and deletion".
The breach was condemned as a "serious violation" of the code of ethics of the International Standard for Laboratories.
"This provisional suspension prohibits the Moscow Laboratory from carrying out any work related to the analysis of blood samples in connection with the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) programme and will remain in place pending disciplinary proceedings to be carried out by an independent disciplinary committee," a Wada statement said.
Sanctions recommended by Wada's Compliance Review Committee (CRC) were unanimously approved by the governing body's executive in Switzerland last month, despite being deemed insufficient by a host of leading figures in anti-doping.
Wada vice president Linda Helleland immediately broke rank to admit the punishment - which could yet be reduced on appeal - was "not enough". "I wanted sanctions that cannot be watered down," she said, referring to the caveat that Russian athletes will be able to compete as neutrals if they prove they are untainted.
Meanwhile, Rob Koehler, the former Wada deputy director, and Travis Tygart, chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, demanded urgent governing body reform to repair a "broken system".
