Head of Russia’s Antidoping Agency Was Involved in 2014 Doping Scheme, Whistle-Blower Claims

NYT Homepage

by Juliet Macur

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A whistleblower has accused Veronika Loginova, director general of Russia’s antidoping agency, of participating in a government-sponsored doping scheme uncovered after the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This accusation emerges as Russia seeks to re-establish its eligibility for international sports competitions, including the upcoming Paralympics. The whistleblower claims Loginova was directly involved in attempting to cover up drug test results from the 2014 Winter Games. The allegations were reported to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which confirmed receiving a tip from a known source about serious misconduct. While WADA has forwarded the information to its investigations department, no evidence corroborating the claims has been produced thus far. If true, these accusations could hinder Russia's efforts to reintegrate into global sports after years of bans and sanctions. The 2014 Sochi doping scandal was one of the most elaborate doping schemes in history, involving tampering with drug test results and systematically replacing positive samples. The current allegations suggest that Russia may have placed someone deeply implicated in this scheme at the helm of its antidoping agency, raising questions about the integrity of its efforts to combat doping. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges Russia faces in restoring trust within international sports bodies. The outcome of WADA's investigation will be crucial in determining whether Russia can move forward with its plans to participate in future events, including the Paralympics. The case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining fair competition in global athletics. Readers interested in news about doping scandals and their impact on international sports will find this development significant. It not only sheds light on Russia's past transgressions but also raises concerns about the current state of anti-doping efforts within the country.

Verticals

newsgeneral

Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/20/2026