The head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency has asked for President Vladimir Putins help in getting Russian officials to hand over key doping data to World Anti-Doping Agency inspectors, VOA reports.
WADA reinstated the suspended RUSADA in September on the condition Russian authorities hand over lab data, which could help confirm a number of violations uncovered during an investigation that revealed a state-sponsored doping program designed to win medals at the 2014 Olympics and other major events.
WADA officials said earlier this month they were leaving Moscow empty-handed after Russian authorities prevented them from accessing data.
In a letter released Thursday, RUSADA chief Yuri Ganus appealed to Putin to reverse the decision and allow the data to be given to WADA inspectors. Ganus warned that refusal to do so would hurt Russias efforts to clean up its sports from doping.
WADA has previously said that Russia unexpectedly demanded its equipment be certified under Russian law. The deadline to turn over the data is Dec. 31.