CAS expects decision on Russian appeal against ban by end 2020

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SHOWS:

WARSAW, POLAND (OCTOBER 30, 2020) (WADA - ACCESS ALL)

1. WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) PRESIDENT WITOLD BANKA STATEMENT ON CAS HEARING

2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WADA PRESIDENT WITOLD BANKA SAYING:

"The four day arbitration procedure between the World Anti-Dpoing Agency (WADA) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

concluded today in Lausanne, Switzerland. WADA is satisfied as to how we presented our case and we now look forward to receiving the decision of the panel."

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (FILE - FEBRUARY 18, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

3. EXTERIOR OF COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS)

4. CLOSEUP EXTERIOR OF CAS

WARSAW, POLAND (OCTOBER 30, 2020) (WADA - ACCESS ALL)

5. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WADA PRESIDENT WITOLD BANKA SAYING:

"This RUSADA compliance proceedure is a very complex matter and WADA has been following due process every step of the way and at all times we've been dealing with it effectively in the

best interests of clean sport."

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FILE - SEPTEMBER 20, 2018) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

6. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF RUSADA OFFICE

MONTREAL, CANADA (FILE - NOVEMBER 9, 2015) (REUTERS PICTURES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)

7. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) SIGN IN HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (FILE - DECEMBER 9, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

8. FORMER PRESIDENT OF WADA, CRAIG REEDIE, SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF WADA, CRAIG REEDIE, SAYING:

"Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency executive committee unanimously endorsed the recommendation made by our independent compliance review committee that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency be declared noncompliant with the world anti-doping code for a period of four years."

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FILE - NOVEMBER 10, 2015) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

10. VARIOUS OF ANTI-DOPING LAB STAFF AT WORK

PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA (FILE - FEBRUARY 9, 2018) (REUTERS PICTURES - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)

11. VARIOUS STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF OLYMPIC ATHLETES OF RUSSIA (OAR) WALKING BEHIND OLYMPIC FLAG DURING 2018 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING CEREMONY

STORY: Russia's appeal against a four-year ban on competing at international events under its own flag has been heard by sport's highest tribunal, which expects to make a decision before the end of the year, CAS said on Thursday (November 5).

Russia was sanctioned last year after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) concluded that Moscow had planted fake evidence and deleted files linked to positive doping tests in laboratory data that could have helped identify drug cheats. Russia has denied the allegations. Under the ban, Russia's teams and athletes can only compete at major sporting events, including the Olympics, as neutrals, without the country's flag or national anthem.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said it had concluded a four-day hearing in Lausanne with most participants taking part via a video link due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"While it is difficult to predict exactly how long this process will take, it is anticipated that the (decision) will be notified to the parties by the end of this year," CAS said in Thursday's statement.

(Production: Peter Bullock)