MOSCOW, January 29. /TASS/. The Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) sent to the International Biathlon Union (IBU) a joint report on anti-doping measures undertaken within the frames of the Road Map on the reinstatement of the RBU’s international status, RUSADA Deputy Director General Margarita Pakhnotskaya told TASS on Tuesday.

The RBU was limited in its rights in December 2017 against the background of a doping scandal in Russian sports. The Russian organization was deprived of its right to vote at the IBU Congresses, to nominate its candidates for the executive posts in the IBU and to bid for hosting international tournaments.

A decision was made in mid-November to set up a work group on the reinstatement of the Russian Biathlon Union and it included representatives of the IBU, RBU, RUSADA and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

The International Biathlon Union presented at that time a list of 12 criteria required for the reinstatement of the Russian organization and they were divided into four parts: the reimbursement of costs, the future testing program of Russian biathletes, mandatory anti-doping education, the work with the team and coaches.

"We have sent to the IBU a report on our ongoing anti-doping activities and plans for the nearest future," Pakhnotskaya, who is also a member of a work group on the RBU reinstatement, said in an interview with TASS. "The RBU needs to work out its own anti-doping strategy, while RUSADA provided the Russian Biathlon Union with all required information."

"In particular, all Russian biathletes competing in national tournaments will be required to undergo an anti-doping course," she said. "RUSADA has worked out educational programs for biathletes and divided it into target groups. In line with the criteria, it is necessary to hold an all-embracing anti-doping seminar jointly with the RBU and IBU. We plan holding this seminar in Tyumen in March, but the Russian Biathlon Union still has to do a lot to make it a success."

Pakhnotskaya also said it was necessary for the RBU to appoint an executive in charge of anti-doping activities and this post went to Russian national team’s doctor Alexei Lagutochkin.

"As soon as the International Biathlon Union finishes studying our report, we will set the date for the next session of our work group," she added.