UKAD statement on Russian participation at Pyeongchang 2018

In response to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) decision to ban Russia from participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today released the following statement:

UKAD Chief Executive Nicole Sapstead said: “The decision from the IOC is the right outcome and one that clearly was not taken lightly. With all the evidence now available, the ban on Russia’s participation in the Winter Games is a proportionate response. In order to maintain faith in the anti-doping system, athletes need to know that they are competing on a level playing field which means there must be meaningful consequences when institutionalised doping is uncovered.”