The World Anti-Doping Agency was set up in 1999 to protect clean athletes from cheats and on Wednesday it was fighting the good fight against the might of Russia at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. The stakes could not be higher, with Russia desperate to move on from the scandals that have stained its reputation as a sporting superpower and WADA determined to hold the line against state-sponsored doping.
If WADA wins, it will have taken down the biggest single cheat in its 21-year history, striking a blow for fair play everywhere, probably saving itself from bankruptcy in the process. If it loses, Russia’s cynical attempts to steal medals can be consigned to the past and its stars will again compete in national colours on the global stage, perhaps even in major championships on Russian soil, next summer’s UEFA European Championship, for example.
Much to fight for, then.
Unfortunately, while WADA was crusading in the east, it was…
