5 February 2020: The following athlete groups support the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) call for an open and public hearing at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) into the RUSADA proceedings. We now call on Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s (RUSADA) Board to immediately request the same.

Over the past several years athletes have lost trust in the sport and global anti-doping movement as a result of the lack of transparency in dealing with the Russian anti-doping crisis. Medals have been lost, athletes have been let down and confidence is at an all time low.

Athletes want to have trust in the system. Athletes want a level playing field. Athletes also want more transparency to avoid any notion of backroom deals being made.

An open and transparent CAS hearing will go a long way in helping athletes understand any decision that is rendered by CAS and may lead to increased confidence in the anti-doping system.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are months away. The CAS hearing and a rendered decision must occur before the start of the 2020 Games. Athletes have rights and those rights should include transparent and timely proceedings as these outcomes will directly affect every athlete.    

Signed,

British Athletes Commission

AthletesCAN

Danish Olympic Committee Athlete Commission

Athleten Deutschland

Norwegian Olympic Committee Athlete Commission

United Stated Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Advisory Council

Global Athlete