Key findings from investigation into Russian doping

An investigation into allegations of Russian doping found widespread, state-directed doping surrounding the 2014 Sochi Olympics and beyond.

The report, known as the McLaren report after the investigator who led it, concludes that a Moscow lab was the last-resort ''failsafe'' that would make sure an initial positive test result disappeared if all other steps failed. The strategy that covered up hundreds of positive tests now has a name: The Disappearing Positive Methodology.

---

KEY FINDINGS:

- The Moscow Laboratory operated, for the protection of doped Russian athletes, within a state-dictated failsafe system.

- The Disappearing Positive Methodology was planned and operated over a period from at least late 2011 until August 2015.

- Russian athletes from the vast majority of summer and winter Olympic sports benefited from the system.

- The Ministry of Sport made the determination as to which athletes would be protected.

- Russian officials knew that Russian athletes competing at Sochi used doping substances.

- The Moscow Laboratory personnel did not have a choice in whether to be involved in the state-directed system.

- The Ministry of Sport directed, controlled and oversaw the manipulation of athlete's analytical results or sample swapping, with the active participation and assistance of the Russian Federal Security Service, Center of Sports Preparation of National Teams of Russia and both Moscow and Sochi laboratories.

---

Online:

The McLaren Report: http://www.insidethegames.biz/media/file/37086/Independent%20Commission%20report.pdf