MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is one of the candidates to oversee the implementation of doping-control regulations at the 2024 World Friendship Games, RUSADA Director General Veronika Loginova told TASS on Tuesday.

According to her, RUSADA is currently in talks with the organizing committee of the next year’s tournament as well as with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about an option of taking charge of analyzing doping samples.

"Representatives of the World Friendship Games have already turned to us saying that their tournament must be held in strict compliance of all anti-doping regulations and norms," Loginova said in an interview with TASS. "We are currently in talks. The Organizing Committee [of the 2024 World Friendship Games] views RUSADA as a candidate for handling doping-testing at that tournament."

"It is still too early to speak about possible restrictions on behalf of WADA," RUSADA’s chief continued. "We are holding negotiations about this tournament and they include WADA as well."

"We will come up with a statement as soon as an agreement regarding the doping-control issue at the [2024 World Friendship Games] is concluded," Loginova added.

In mid-November, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) warned that certain sanctions could follow for any international athletes willing to participate in the 2024 World Friendship Games. WADA President Witold Banks said: "The possible participation in those competitions of those who are parties to the WADA Code, may have certain consequences."

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach stated in mid-June speaking about the World Friendship Games that "the Russian government was going to hold politicized competitions."

The 2024 World Friendship Games are scheduled to be hosted by the Russian capital of Moscow and the Urals city of Yekaterinburg next year between September 15 and 29.