International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Tuesday demanded a sweeping overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Tuesday as Russian appeals against bans mounted just three days from the opening of the Rio Games.
In a strongly-worded speech to the IOC, Bach called for WADA to be subjected to a thorough review, laying bare a growing rift between Olympic chiefs and the body responsible for leading the global fight against doping.
“Recent developments have shown that we need a full review of the WADA anti-doping system,” Bach said.
Israeli member Alex Gilady meanwhile added: “I think it is not the reputation of the IOC which must be restored, but the reputation of WADA.”