Global athletes and anti-doping leaders called Wednesday for major reforms of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after its controversial reinstatement of Russia.
WADA's move in September after a three-year ban for running a state-sponsored doping scheme has drawn worldwide criticism and calls for urgent reform at the Canada-based global doping watchdog.
"We aren't just asking for WADA to change. We are asking for systematic and deep change," said James Carroll, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy deputy director.
"We are united in calling for the World Anti-Doping Agency to provide stronger leadership on behalf of clean competition."
"It has bullied and disheartened athlete voices."
As British Olympic gold medal cyclist Callum Skinner put it: "WADA and IOC have put autocracy over accountability and politics over principle. Athletes have woken up and found voice. It's up to WADA and IOC to start listening and act."
"We now know WADA does not follow its own rules, even though athletes are asked to."
- 'Tipping point' for reform -
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The meeting declared in a statement that "WADA must be reformed to make it stronger and more accountable to clean athletes in order for governments, the public, and athletes to continue to support and believe in it."
"Confidence in clean sport is at an all-time low. Athletes and sports fans across the globe have lost confidence in the commitment, resolve, and willingness of WADA to stand up for the ideals upon which it was founded."
"Today was the tipping point."
- WADA: 'Only one side heard' -
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WADA said if supporters of the move were there they "would have been able to bring perspective to the debate, to explain why the decision to reinstate RUSADA, under strict conditions, was the right one for clean sport."