Olympic champion says WADA ‘bullied’ her over Russia opposition

Beckie Scott, a Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion, resigned last month from the panel that recommended lifting the ban on Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).

In this June 5, 2018, file photo, World Anti-Doping Agency athlete committee chairperson Beckie Scott speaks at a news conference following the agency's first Global Athlete Forum.

Beckie Scott, chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Committee, says in a BBC interview that she was “bullied” by some WADA officials over her opposition to reinstating Russia’s anti-doping agency.

Scott, a Canadian former Olympic cross-country skiing champion, resigned last month from the panel that recommended lifting the ban on RUSADA, which had been declared non-compliant in 2015 after revelations of a vast state-backed scheme to avoid drug testers.

READ | WADA lifts ban on Russian anti-doping agency

She told the BBC in comments published Friday that she was “treated with disrespect” at a recent meeting.

“I think it’s indicative of two things,” Scott said.

“One is lack of regard for the athlete’s voice in general. I think it’s also indicative of leadership of WADA’s alignment with the Olympic movement.”

US Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart, who last month condemned the decision to reinstate RUSADA, applauded Scott’s comments, indicating the International Olympic Committee had unduly influenced the global anti-doping body.

“The IOC tail is now unquestionably wagging the WADA dog, and that is not something anyone who cares about clean, fair sport wants to see,” Tygart said in a statement on Friday backing Scott.

“The show must not go on as it does today - and that is why we want to make it crystal clear to athletes that USADA will always stand with them and listen to their voices as we continue to push for a reformed WADA so that, for the first time, it starts to represent those we are supposed to serve: the athletes.”