Russia doping: Athletes continued cheating in the midst of probe, claims Wada investigator

Exclusive: Günter Younger reveals he was shocked by blatant cheating and cynicism that nothing would change

The Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada) has been suspended for non-compliance (Reuters)

The lead investigator into state-sponsored doping in Russia says athletes blatantly took illegal substances under the noses of inspectors.

Günter Younger, the lead investigator in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s independent commission report on doping in Russia – which caused the country to be provisionally suspended from all international competitions – said athletes were so confident they would not be caught that they continued cheating in the midst of the review.

“During the course of the investigation, we found out in some camps they were still doing doping,” said Younger, the former Interpol drugs chief. “That was disrespectful and showed us they didn’t take us seriously.

“This is the culture we were facing – a really surprising culture. I’m usually very cautious and, when I’m investigating criminals, usually they disguise their paths, but we heard from athletes saying, ‘I don’t care as nothing will happen as usual’.”

In the wake of last week’s report, the Russian anti-doping agency Rusada was suspended by Wada for non-compliance.

In a sign the crisis has the potential to touch other countries, the Wada board, meeting in Colorado Springs, also announced Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia and Ukraine have been found to be non-compliant and can no longer conduct their own anti-doping programmes. Brazil, Belgium, France, Greece, Mexico and Spain have been put on a compliance watchlist.

The non-compliant countries have failed to responded fully to Wada’s request for information and Argentina, Bolivia and Ukraine have used non-accredited laboratories.