RUSADA has created a working group to determine the reasons for the increase in anti-doping violations

Director General of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Veronika Loginova announced the creation of a working group to determine the reasons for the increase in the number of anti-doping rule violations with meldonium in 2023, reports “Sport Express”. On October 20, she reported that this year RUSADA has recorded 55% more cases of use of this prohibited drug, and 115 doping cases have been opened.

“Based on the results of this working group, we want to come to a common conclusion with all interested parties in what direction we need to work, what scientific research to conduct. Meldonium is our priority at the moment. We will study it,” said Ms. Loginova.

The Director General stated that there is evidence that meldonium can be detected in athletes’ samples after consuming both milk and meat. In her opinion, athletes are well aware of anti-doping rules and “after so many years and after such high-profile scandals” they will under no circumstances use the drug intentionally.

Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances in 2016. In the first months after this, almost 300 athletes from Russia tested positive for meldonium. Subsequently, most of them were acquitted. According to TASS As of October 17, 50 Russian athletes are serving disqualification for using meldonium.

Erdni Kagaltynov