CAS Bans Russia from Competing in Next 2 Olympics

The Court of Arbitration for Sports "CAS" ruling banned, Thursday, Russia from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at any world championships for the next two years.

The CAS issued a statement, in which it rejected the appeal filed by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, known as " Rusada", against World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“This panel has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the noncompliance and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained,” according to the CAS’ statement.

“The consequences which the Panel has decided to impose are not as extensive as those sought by WADA. This should not, however, be read as any validation of the conduct of RUSADA or the Russian authorities.”

RUSADA had lodged an appeal with the "CAS" against the decision of the Executive Committee of WADA, that was approved on December 9, 2019, in which it requested the suspension of Russia for four years of participating in sports competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, which was postponed for the summer of 2021 due to Coronavirus, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, under the pretext of tampered with a database from the Moscow testing laboratory.

RUSADA was also ordered to pay $1.27 million to WADA.

Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma announced that this decision was a blow to Russian sport, affirming that the Russian authorities should respond to this.

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Russian athletes and teams can still be allowed to compete at next year's Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, as well as world championships including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, if they are not implicated in doping or covering up positive tests.

The ruling allows Russian government officials, including President Vladimir Putin, to attend major sporting events if invited by the host nation's head of state.