MOSCOW — The Kremlin is blaming political chicanery, not its own sports officials, after doctored laboratory data resulted in a ban that means Russia will appear on the global sports stage without its flag or anthem for the next four years. In the latest twist to the country's continuing doping scandal, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday handed Russia a four-year ban from top international sporting events, including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup. The members of WADA's executive committee unanimously backed such a ban after finding Moscow guilty of supplying doctored doping-related laboratory data. Russia's response, from President Vladimir Putin downwards, has been defiant and lacking in contrition.

Source: International New York Times December 10, 2019 15:45 UTC