Paul Pogba's doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French soccer player's claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday. The France international was provisionally suspended by Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA - a banned substance that raises levels of testosterone.

CAS reduced the sentence last week, with Pogba saying his "nightmare is over". The 31-year-old, who has a contract with Italy's Juventus until June 2026, will be eligible to return to football in March. In a statement, CAS said Pogba had argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional and had occurred after he consumed a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida.

"Mr Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high level U.S. and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr Pogba's anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code...," CAS added. "Mr Pogba's case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Mr Pogba was unopposed."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis/news-naomi-osaka-pulls-out-of-japan-open-due-to-back-injury-765204">Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open due to back injury</a>

"The CAS Panel determined, however, that Mr Pogba was not without fault and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid a greater care in the circumstances."

Pogba last played for Juventus in a 2-0 win at Empoli over a year ago. He had a disappointing second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paul Pogba's doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French soccer player's claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.

Paul Pogba's doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French soccer player's claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday. The France international was provisionally suspended by Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA - a banned substance that raises levels of testosterone. CAS reduced the sentence last week, with Pogba saying his "nightmare is over". The 31-year-old, who has a contract with Italy's Juventus until June 2026, will be eligible to return to football in March. In a statement, CAS said Pogba had argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional and had occurred after he consumed a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida. "Mr Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high level U.S. and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr Pogba's anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code...," CAS added. "Mr Pogba's case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Mr Pogba was unopposed." Also read: Naomi Osaka pulls out of Japan Open due to back injury "The CAS Panel determined, however, that Mr Pogba was not without fault and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid a greater care in the circumstances." Pogba last played for Juventus in a 2-0 win at Empoli over a year ago. He had a disappointing second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer in 2022. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paul Pogba's suspension reduced after experts support claims of unintentional doping: CAS

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- &nbsp;part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive&nbsp;for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance. Now, in a bizarre statement, Bockarie has shifted the blame for failing the dope test to having 'chicken with hormones'.

"I don’t know how this product got into my body,” Bockarie was quoted as saying by the Netherlands public broadcaster,&nbsp;NOS. He added, "I only know one thing for sure. And that is that I have not used doping. If anyone is vehemently against using banned stimulants, it’s me. "I have a lot of questions about this check and the results. Let me emphasize that an athlete is at all times responsible for the substances found in his body. But in this case, so much is unclear that I would like some clarification."

In a report by the&nbsp;NOS, it was mentioned&nbsp;that Bockarie’s spokesperson Robbin Pieterman had blamed the cheap chicken bought by the athlete in the market&nbsp;in&nbsp;The Hague. "It could be that this chicken had been treated with hormones and that he got this hormone in his body from eating this chicken,"&nbsp;Pieterman was quoted as saying.

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"Fortunately, Solomon still has pieces of this chicken at home. We will try to have it examined to show that the hormone entered Solomon’s body through this route,” he further opined.

While it might sound like a bizarre claim, Bockarie has made his feelings known courtesy of some strong remarks. Given his spokesperson is confident that it was the cheap chicken consumption that caused the Olympics athlete to fail the dope test, it will be interesting to see if they can give a more clearer picture in this regard. The 35-year-old athlete was part of the Netherlands'&nbsp;relay team at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance.

Dutch athlete Soloman Bockarie -- part of the Netherlands 4x100m relay team -- failed his doping test by testing positive for growth hormone GHRP-2 during an out-of-competition check last month and went on to claim that he didn't consume any of the banned substance. Now, in a bizarre statement, Bockarie has shifted the blame for failing the dope test to having 'chicken with hormones'. "I don’t know how this product got into my body,” Bockarie was quoted as saying by the Netherlands public broadcaster, NOS. He added, "I only know one thing for sure. And that is that I have not used doping. If anyone is vehemently against using banned stimulants, it’s me. "I have a lot of questions about this check and the results. Let me emphasize that an athlete is at all times responsible for the substances found in his body. But in this case, so much is unclear that I would like some clarification." In a report by the NOS, it was mentioned that Bockarie’s spokesperson Robbin Pieterman had blamed the cheap chicken bought by the athlete in the market in The Hague. "It could be that this chicken had been treated with hormones and that he got this hormone in his body from eating this chicken," Pieterman was quoted as saying. ALSO READ | Paul Pogba's brother Mathias makes shocking allegations, accuses Juventus star of witchcraft "Fortunately, Solomon still has pieces of this chicken at home. We will try to have it examined to show that the hormone entered Solomon’s body through this route,” he further opined. While it might sound like a bizarre claim, Bockarie has made his feelings known courtesy of some strong remarks. Given his spokesperson is confident that it was the cheap chicken consumption that caused the Olympics athlete to fail the dope test, it will be interesting to see if they can give a more clearer picture in this regard. The 35-year-old athlete was part of the Netherlands' relay team at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.

Bizarre! Solomon Bockarie fails dope test, Dutchman shifts blame on ‘chicken with hormones’

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria".

The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-chance-of-winning-wada-ban-appeal-russia-anti-doping-chief-267261">"no chance"</a> of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday banned Russia from international competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It accused Russia of falsifying laboratory doping data handed over earlier this year to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-could-face-olympic-ban-in-wada-decision-due-monday-266958">investigators probing claims</a> of widespread doping.

Russia can appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency, Yuri Ganus, said he doubted it would be successful.

"There is no chance of winning this case in court," Ganus told AFP. "This is a tragedy. Clean athletes are seeing their rights limited."

Under the sanctions, Russian sportsmen and women will still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of what WADA believes was a state-sponsored system of doping.

Russian government officials will be barred from attending any major events, while the country will lose the right to host, or even bid, for tournaments.

'This is politics'

While admitting there have been instances of doping, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">Russian officials</a> say the country is no worse than any other. Some have accused other countries of pursuing the ban to remove Russian athletes from competition.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that it was "impossible to deny" that doping had taken place but that those involved had already been punished.

"This is the continuation of this anti-Russian hysteria that has already become chronic," Medvedev told Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Many in Russian sports agreed.&nbsp;

"The decision that was taken today was political and not simply about sports," the head of Russia's Biathlon Union, Vladimir Drachev, told Russia-24 state television.&nbsp;

"I have no words... How can you mock athletes who have been preparing all their lives for this?" said Aslanbek Khushtov, who won wrestling gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Unfortunately this is politics, I don't smell any sport here," he told state news agency TASS.

The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part.

The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag.

The heads of several Russian sports federations said Monday they were preparing to send athletes to the 2020 Olympics under a neutral flag.

'A proud Russian'

The country's athletes "must go to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">the Olympics</a> whatever the situation," said the head of Russia's swimming federation, Vladimir Salnikov.

"Of course we'd prefer that our athletes participate under the Russian flag and hear their national anthem. But the circumstances may be different... (and) no one has the right to deprive innocent athletes of their dreams," he told state news agency RIA Novosti.

"If (participating under a neutral flag) is the only possibility, we must go and win. Our clean athletes, I am sure, will show that they are strong, even in these circumstances," said the head of the waterpolo, diving and synchronised swimming federation, Alexei Vlasenko.

Vyacheslav Fetisov, a Soviet-era ice hockey legend and now pro-government lawmaker, denounced what he called the "collective punishment" of Russia's athletes.

"I am a proud Russian. I was proud to represent my country," Fetisov, deputy chairman of the lower house State Duma's sports committee, told AFP.&nbsp;

"I will work tirelessly... to get today's athletes the opportunity I had to represent Russia,&nbsp;and be up on that podium. It was one of the great privileges of my life."

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria". The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had "no chance" of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes.

Russia reeled from a four-year ban from global sports on Monday, with athletes in shock and the government quick to blame "anti-Russian hysteria". The head of Russia's anti-doping agency meanwhile said his country had "no chance" of winning an appeal of the ban, which he described as a tragedy for clean athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday banned Russia from international competitions including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It accused Russia of falsifying laboratory doping data handed over earlier this year to investigators probing claims of widespread doping. Russia can appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the head of its RUSADA anti-doping agency, Yuri Ganus, said he doubted it would be successful. "There is no chance of winning this case in court," Ganus told AFP. "This is a tragedy. Clean athletes are seeing their rights limited." Under the sanctions, Russian sportsmen and women will still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of what WADA believes was a state-sponsored system of doping. Russian government officials will be barred from attending any major events, while the country will lose the right to host, or even bid, for tournaments. 'This is politics' While admitting there have been instances of doping, Russian officials say the country is no worse than any other. Some have accused other countries of pursuing the ban to remove Russian athletes from competition. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that it was "impossible to deny" that doping had taken place but that those involved had already been punished. "This is the continuation of this anti-Russian hysteria that has already become chronic," Medvedev told Russian news agencies. Many in Russian sports agreed. "The decision that was taken today was political and not simply about sports," the head of Russia's Biathlon Union, Vladimir Drachev, told Russia-24 state television. "I have no words... How can you mock athletes who have been preparing all their lives for this?" said Aslanbek Khushtov, who won wrestling gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "Unfortunately this is politics, I don't smell any sport here," he told state news agency TASS. The scandal has tainted Russia's sporting reputation since the revelation of large-scale state-sponsored doping aimed at improving its medal performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russian track and field athletes were barred from competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics although Russians competing in other events were allowed to take part. The ban was widened to include all events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, though Russian competitors who could prove they were above suspicion were able to compete as neutrals under the Olympic flag. The heads of several Russian sports federations said Monday they were preparing to send athletes to the 2020 Olympics under a neutral flag. 'A proud Russian' The country's athletes "must go to the Olympics whatever the situation," said the head of Russia's swimming federation, Vladimir Salnikov. "Of course we'd prefer that our athletes participate under the Russian flag and hear their national anthem. But the circumstances may be different... (and) no one has the right to deprive innocent athletes of their dreams," he told state news agency RIA Novosti. "If (participating under a neutral flag) is the only possibility, we must go and win. Our clean athletes, I am sure, will show that they are strong, even in these circumstances," said the head of the waterpolo, diving and synchronised swimming federation, Alexei Vlasenko. Vyacheslav Fetisov, a Soviet-era ice hockey legend and now pro-government lawmaker, denounced what he called the "collective punishment" of Russia's athletes. "I am a proud Russian. I was proud to represent my country," Fetisov, deputy chairman of the lower house State Duma's sports committee, told AFP. "I will work tirelessly... to get today's athletes the opportunity I had to represent Russia, and be up on that podium. It was one of the great privileges of my life."

'Anti-Russian hysteria': Moscow on doping ban

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Wednesday demanded swift and tough sanctions for doping offenders -- both athletes and their support staff -- involved in a German-Austrian doping ring.

At least 21 athletes from eight nations across five sports are suspected of blood-doping linked to a German doctor who was arrested as part of an Austria-Germany doping raid last month.

Five athletes, including two Austrians, were initially arrested on February 27 at the Nordic skiing world championships in the Austrian resort of Seefeld.

The arrests were part of a joint operation with German police targeting a suspected international blood-doping ring believed to have been run out of Germany.

"We hope that all this will be clarified and everything will come on the table and there those responsible and the entourage of these athletes, the doctors and the personnel, that they will be punished soon and hard," Bach said.

"I hope that this is not dragging on, that their justice will really set an example. I hope there will be hard sanctions to have a deterrent effect on everybody," he added.

A doctor in the German city of Erfurt was also arrested along with five other suspected accomplices.

According to German prosecutors, the doping of the 21 athletes from five sports -- three winter and two summer -- occurred from 2011 onwards and blood transfusions took place in many countries across the world.

Since the arrests other Austrian athletes have been implicated in blood doping. Cyclist Georg Preidler told police this month that he had attempted doping.

Cross-country skier Johannes Duerr, whose interview with Germany's ARD television in which he admitted doping triggered the investigation and raids, was arrested on March 5.

The IOC has had to deal with its own major doping scandal, stemming from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and involving many Russian athletes, including medal winners.

Some of those case are ongoing, making their way through the sports and civil courts, years after the athletes in question were identified.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Wednesday demanded swift and tough sanctions for doping offenders -- both athletes and their support staff -- involved in a German-Austrian doping ring.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Wednesday demanded swift and tough sanctions for doping offenders -- both athletes and their support staff -- involved in a German-Austrian doping ring. At least 21 athletes from eight nations across five sports are suspected of blood-doping linked to a German doctor who was arrested as part of an Austria-Germany doping raid last month. Five athletes, including two Austrians, were initially arrested on February 27 at the Nordic skiing world championships in the Austrian resort of Seefeld. The arrests were part of a joint operation with German police targeting a suspected international blood-doping ring believed to have been run out of Germany. "We hope that all this will be clarified and everything will come on the table and there those responsible and the entourage of these athletes, the doctors and the personnel, that they will be punished soon and hard," Bach said. "I hope that this is not dragging on, that their justice will really set an example. I hope there will be hard sanctions to have a deterrent effect on everybody," he added. A doctor in the German city of Erfurt was also arrested along with five other suspected accomplices. According to German prosecutors, the doping of the 21 athletes from five sports -- three winter and two summer -- occurred from 2011 onwards and blood transfusions took place in many countries across the world. Since the arrests other Austrian athletes have been implicated in blood doping. Cyclist Georg Preidler told police this month that he had attempted doping. Cross-country skier Johannes Duerr, whose interview with Germany's ARD television in which he admitted doping triggered the investigation and raids, was arrested on March 5. The IOC has had to deal with its own major doping scandal, stemming from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and involving many Russian athletes, including medal winners. Some of those case are ongoing, making their way through the sports and civil courts, years after the athletes in question were identified.

IOC wants swift and tough punishment for doping offenders

Russia's athletics federation said on Friday it would withdraw its appeal against the decision by the global athletics governing body IAAF to prolong its suspension over evidence of state-sponsored doping.

The federation had filed an appeal against at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September against IAAF's decision to extend the ban, imposed in November 2015.

The federation said its withdrawal of the appeal was linked to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision this week not to suspend RUSADA, Russia's anti-doping agency, despite Moscow missing a deadline to hand over laboratory data.

For the Russian athletics federation to be reinstated, the Athletics Integrity Unit must confirm it has been given access to data and samples from the former Moscow anti-doping laboratory. WADA said this month it had retrieved the laboratory data.

The federation must also cover legal costs and the cost of IAAF investigations before the ban can be lifted.

"I'm convinced that at this time we must concentrate our efforts on negotiations and communication with IAAF regarding the reinstatement of the Russian athletics federation, and not waste time and effort on judicial processes," federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said in a statement.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport told Reuters on Friday it had not been notified that the federation wanted to withdraw its appeal.

The IAAF did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Although the federation remains suspended, several Russian athletes, including 2015 world champion hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, have been cleared to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating they are training in doping-free environments.

The IAAF's next Council meeting is set to take place March 10-11 in Doha.

Russia's athletics federation said on Friday it would withdraw its appeal against the decision by the global athletics governing body IAAF to prolong its suspension over evidence of state-sponsored doping.

Russia's athletics federation said on Friday it would withdraw its appeal against the decision by the global athletics governing body IAAF to prolong its suspension over evidence of state-sponsored doping. The federation had filed an appeal against at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in September against IAAF's decision to extend the ban, imposed in November 2015. The federation said its withdrawal of the appeal was linked to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decision this week not to suspend RUSADA, Russia's anti-doping agency, despite Moscow missing a deadline to hand over laboratory data. For the Russian athletics federation to be reinstated, the Athletics Integrity Unit must confirm it has been given access to data and samples from the former Moscow anti-doping laboratory. WADA said this month it had retrieved the laboratory data. The federation must also cover legal costs and the cost of IAAF investigations before the ban can be lifted. "I'm convinced that at this time we must concentrate our efforts on negotiations and communication with IAAF regarding the reinstatement of the Russian athletics federation, and not waste time and effort on judicial processes," federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said in a statement. The Court of Arbitration for Sport told Reuters on Friday it had not been notified that the federation wanted to withdraw its appeal. The IAAF did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Although the federation remains suspended, several Russian athletes, including 2015 world champion hurdler Sergey Shubenkov, have been cleared to compete internationally as neutrals after demonstrating they are training in doping-free environments. The IAAF's next Council meeting is set to take place March 10-11 in Doha.

Russian athletics federation withdraws appeal against doping ban

Real Madrid denied on Friday allegations their captain Sergio Ramos breached anti-doping regulations on the night of the 2017 Champions League final.&nbsp;

According to the German magazine, Der Spiegel Ramos failed to declare he had taken dexamethasone ahead of the match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, in which Real beat Juventus 4-1.&nbsp;

In a statement, the European champions said that Ramos "has never breached the anti-doping control regulations" and that UEFA "closed the matter immediately", following the "verification of experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency, AMA, and UEFA itself".

The club continued: "Regarding the rest of the content from the aforementioned publication, the club will not pronounce on evidence that is so insubstantial."

Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The substance can have anti-inflammatory effects and increase concentration.&nbsp;

WADA does not prohibit players from taking dexamethasone before games, as long as it is declared during a doping test. Der Spiegel claims Ramos and the Real Madrid team doctor instead registered betamethasone, another glucocorticoid on WADA´s banned list.

However, the magazine also reports that UEFA were satisfied the mistake was an administrative error and took no disciplinary action.

Real Madrid denied on Friday allegations their captain Sergio Ramos breached anti-doping regulations on the night of the 2017 Champions League final. According to the German magazine, Der Spiegel Ramos failed to declare he had taken dexamethasone ahead of the match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, in which Real beat Juventus 4-1.

Real Madrid denied on Friday allegations their captain Sergio Ramos breached anti-doping regulations on the night of the 2017 Champions League final. According to the German magazine, Der Spiegel Ramos failed to declare he had taken dexamethasone ahead of the match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, in which Real beat Juventus 4-1. In a statement, the European champions said that Ramos "has never breached the anti-doping control regulations" and that UEFA "closed the matter immediately", following the "verification of experts from the World Anti-Doping Agency, AMA, and UEFA itself". The club continued: "Regarding the rest of the content from the aforementioned publication, the club will not pronounce on evidence that is so insubstantial." Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The substance can have anti-inflammatory effects and increase concentration. WADA does not prohibit players from taking dexamethasone before games, as long as it is declared during a doping test. Der Spiegel claims Ramos and the Real Madrid team doctor instead registered betamethasone, another glucocorticoid on WADA´s banned list. However, the magazine also reports that UEFA were satisfied the mistake was an administrative error and took no disciplinary action.

Real Madrid deny Sergio Ramos doping breach allegations

Sports is considered as country&#39;s pride and the feeling of representing one&#39;s country at an international sporting event is difficult to put into words.

Every country gives special consideration to raise and develop athletes but is it justified to tamper with athlete&#39;s body to contaminate his/her natural composition and disturb the build-up to derive exaggerated results?

The answer is obviously No! And to have a check on such false practices there are some international rules and guideline which are followed during every international sporting events to keep a tab over such fraudulent to have the sports&#39; ethos and motivating force intact.

Now, Russia is again surrounded by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-olympic-curler-involved-in-doping-case-sources-33276">allegations of doping</a> as a Russian Olympic curler has been implicated in a doping case.

A source close to the matter said the case involved meldonium -- the same substance that saw Maria Sharapova banned.

All of this started when a German TV released a documentary that alleged Russian athletes of being guilty of doping. The documentary also claimed that IAAF had been covering up the abuse.

Whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov was the director of Russia&#39;s anti-doping laboratory and the person who revealed the issue of state-sponsored doping in Russia during 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

He himself was involved in the scandal as he said that Russian intelligence services had helped athletes by devising a way of opening and resealing urine containers previously believed to be tamper-proof.

Rodchenkov&nbsp;also claimed that he doped athletes before the 2012 Olympics in London, the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow and the 2015 World Swimming Championships in Kazan.

This high-level scandal raises some questions like:

How could all of this remained undercovered and how IOC and WADA ignored this for years? 

Why it prevailed for such a long period of time?

<div style="background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:5px 10px;">What is IAAF? 
The International Association of Athletics Federations is the international governing body for the sport of athletics.</div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It happened during 2014 Sochi Olympics was scheduled.

Then-Russian Athletics Federation denied all the allegations but in 2015, WADA announced an in-depth investigation and found some evidence that supported state-sponsored&nbsp;doping and eventually suggested that Russia should ban from athletics.

&nbsp;

<div style="background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:5px 10px;">What is WADA? 
The World Anti-Doping Agency aims to bring consistency in anti-doping policies and regulations within sports organisations and governments right across the world.</div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Russia earlier denied but later accepted the claims and said it will cooperate with WADA.

IOC intervened and banned Russia from Rio Olympics, and also from Pyeongchang Winter Olympics though few clean athletes were given permission to participate as neutrals.

&nbsp;

All of this started when a documentary revealed Russian athletes of being guilty of doping

Sports is considered as country's pride and the feeling of representing one's country at an international sporting event is difficult to put into words. Every country gives special consideration to raise and develop athletes but is it justified to tamper with athlete's body to contaminate his/her natural composition and disturb the build-up to derive exaggerated results? The answer is obviously No! And to have a check on such false practices there are some international rules and guideline which are followed during every international sporting events to keep a tab over such fraudulent to have the sports' ethos and motivating force intact. Now, Russia is again surrounded by the allegations of doping as a Russian Olympic curler has been implicated in a doping case. A source close to the matter said the case involved meldonium -- the same substance that saw Maria Sharapova banned. All of this started when a German TV released a documentary that alleged Russian athletes of being guilty of doping. The documentary also claimed that IAAF had been covering up the abuse. Whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov was the director of Russia's anti-doping laboratory and the person who revealed the issue of state-sponsored doping in Russia during 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He himself was involved in the scandal as he said that Russian intelligence services had helped athletes by devising a way of opening and resealing urine containers previously believed to be tamper-proof. Rodchenkov also claimed that he doped athletes before the 2012 Olympics in London, the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow and the 2015 World Swimming Championships in Kazan. This high-level scandal raises some questions like: How could all of this remained undercovered and how IOC and WADA ignored this for years? Why it prevailed for such a long period of time? What is IAAF? The International Association of Athletics Federations is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It happened during 2014 Sochi Olympics was scheduled. Then-Russian Athletics Federation denied all the allegations but in 2015, WADA announced an in-depth investigation and found some evidence that supported state-sponsored doping and eventually suggested that Russia should ban from athletics. What is WADA? The World Anti-Doping Agency aims to bring consistency in anti-doping policies and regulations within sports organisations and governments right across the world. Russia earlier denied but later accepted the claims and said it will cooperate with WADA. IOC intervened and banned Russia from Rio Olympics, and also from Pyeongchang Winter Olympics though few clean athletes were given permission to participate as neutrals.

Tainted once, Russia again faces doping scandal: A history