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World Anti-Doping Agency

Steady7 stories3 sourcesLast updated: 5/22/2026

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Georgia’s Merab Sharikadze gets 11-year ban for role in ‘urine-swapping’ rugby doping scandal
Sports
5/12/2026

Georgia’s Merab Sharikadze gets 11-year ban for role in ‘urine-swapping’ rugby doping scandal

Former captain, 32, won more than 100 caps for GeorgiaWorld Rugby found evidence of urine sample swapsThe biggest anti-doping investigation in World Rugby’s history has resulted in six of Georgia’s men’s team and a medical official being handed lengthy bans, with their former captain, Merab Sharikadze, suspended for 11 years. Working alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency, evidence was uncovered of urine swapping and advance warning of upcoming drug tests being given to players.No firm proof was uncovered of attempts to mask the use of performance-enhancing substances but World Rugby did find evidence that urine sample substitutions had taken place to conceal non-performance-enhancing substances such as cannabis and tramadol. Continue reading...

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Guardian Sport
Georgia’s Merab Sharikadze gets 11-year ban for role in urine-swapping rugby doping scandal
Sports
5/12/2026

Georgia’s Merab Sharikadze gets 11-year ban for role in urine-swapping rugby doping scandal

Former captain, 32, won more than 100 caps for GeorgiaWorld Rugby found evidence of urine sample swapsThe biggest anti-doping investigation in World Rugby’s history has resulted in six of Georgia’s men’s team and a medical official being handed lengthy bans, with their former captain Merab Sharikadze suspended for 11 years. Working alongside the World Anti-Doping Agency, evidence was uncovered of urine swapping and advance warning of drug tests being given to players.No firm proof was uncovered of attempts to mask the use of performance-enhancing substances but World Rugby did find evidence that urine sample substitutions had taken place to conceal non-performance-enhancing substances such as cannabis and tramadol. Continue reading...

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Guardian Sport
Wada's Operation Lims: 302 sanctions against Russian athletes after Moscow lab data seizure
Sports
4/30/2026AI summary

Wada's Operation Lims: 302 sanctions against Russian athletes after Moscow lab data seizure

The World Anti-Doping Agency has concluded Operation Lims, imposing 302 sanctions against 291 Russian athletes following the 2019 seizure of Moscow laboratory data. Weightlifting (107 athletes) and athletics (93) were the most affected sports, with 23 anti-doping organisations involved. The investigation, which revealed manipulated data leading to Russia's four-year ban in 2019, is described by Wada as the most successful anti-doping investigation in history.

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BBC News
Wada's Operation Lims: 302 sanctions imposed on Russian athletes after Moscow lab data seizure
Sports
4/30/2026AI summary

Wada's Operation Lims: 302 sanctions imposed on Russian athletes after Moscow lab data seizure

Wada has concluded Operation Lims, the largest anti-doping investigation in history, imposing 302 sanctions on 291 Russian athletes from 22 sports. The investigation, based on data seized from the Moscow laboratory in 2019, resulted in 107 sanctions in weightlifting and 93 in athletics. Russia was handed a four-year ban in 2019 after data manipulation was discovered, though the ban ended in 2023.

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BBC News