Moscow anti-doping lab may restart work by end of 2017

Moscow, Dec 7: The operations of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory may be restored by the end of 2017, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has said.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) revoked its accreditation of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory on April 15, citing the lab's alleged non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories and related technical documents, reports Sputnik.

"Neither the laboratory nor Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) have been restored, and they will definitely not be restored in February. We expect to complete this by the end of the year with the laboratory," Mutko told R-Sport on Tuesday.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister also stated that Russia's relations with the WADA have always been good, and Moscow is ready to do everything necessary for the organisation.

"We have always had good relations with them, they were never bad.  As far as the state is concerned, they inform us, we do everything with an open heart, we are ready. We signed a roadmap for restoration, we do everything consistently. We are ready to do everything if they were to address us — finance, organise, support, pass corresponding laws."