WASHINGTON (AP) The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is pressing the World Anti-Doping Agency to explain why it delayed an investigation into allegations of systematic cheating by the Russian Olympic team.
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota says a strong and credible anti-doping agency is indispensable. Thune on Monday sent a seven-page letter to Sir Craig Reedie, the World Anti-Doping Agency's president.
Thune says his staff has independently confirmed media reports that the agency was made aware of allegations of widespread government-sanctioned doping among Russian athletes in February 2010. But he says the agency did not set up an independent commission to investigate the claims until nearly five years later.
Thune says the United States has contributed more than $25 million in athletes' dues to the anti-doping agency since 2003.
