Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has insisted the Russian Anti-Doping Agency will not be disbanded ©Getty Images

There are no plans to disband the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), despite it being declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, the country's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko claimed today. 

RUSADA was heavily criticised as part of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission Report published earlier this month, which confirmed allegations of systemic doping within Russian athletics. 

The body was consequently declared non-compliant at a WADA Foundation Board meeting in Colorado Springs on November 18.

Russia's anti-doping laboratory in Moscow also had its WADA- accreditation revoked, with the body's tainted director Grigory Rodchenkov having resigned.  

It had been thought possible RUSADA could be disbanded, with a new body set up in its place in a bid to remedy the situation, but Mutko appeared to end this prospect.

"No doubt, RUSADA will remain as an organisation," he said.

"We have started working [jointly with WADA]."

Director general David Howman led a WADA delegation meeting with Vitaly Mutko last week ©Getty Images
Director general David Howman led a WADA delegation meeting with Vitaly Mutko last week ©Getty Images

It followed a meeting between a Sports Ministerial delegation led by Mutko and WADA officials led by director general David Howman in Frankfurt. 

WADA described the meeting as "constructive" and claimed its purpose was to map out the necessary testing programmes required to ensure that Russian athletes would be subject to a robust anti-doping programme during RUSADA's period of non-compliance.

WADA's President Sir Craig Reedie is adamant substantial improvement must be made for the body to be re-approved, however. 

"Our priority is now on ensuring all our partners are fully compliant and have watertight anti-doping systems that protect clean athletes and reassure sports fans worldwide," he said.

“Make no mistake, we will not rush this process of compliance, we will do it right - the integrity of sport is under threat.

“Anti-doping in sport is under the spotlight today like never before, and WADA, along with our partners, have begun the work needed on the road to recovery for Russia."



Related stories
November 2015: Russian Sports Minister "committed fully" to recommendations on doping, WADA claims
November 2015: Russia will not appeal against IAAF suspension after doping allegations
November 2015: Russian whistleblowers face legal action from athletes named in World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Commission report
November 2015: World Indoor Athletics Championships absence would be "no tragedy" for suspended Russia
November 2015: Coe calls for "robust" inspection of Russia as country seeks to overturn IAAF suspension