The Georgian Rugby Union has confirmed that its players transgressed anti-doping rules, following accusations from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In a statement released on Tuesday, the union recognized the seriousness of WADA’s report. However, they noted that the individuals identified by the agency are no longer involved with the national rugby team, effective the 2023-2024 season.
The union highlighted that no subsequent Georgian rugby player or national team member has been implicated in violations since this initial discovery. They acknowledged the significant damage to the reputation of Georgian rugby. Consequently, the union has initiated intensive efforts and implemented stringent measures to avert similar occurrences.
They plan to hold a press conference to detail the complete findings of WADA’s investigation once it is finalized. The investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Obsidian,’ revealed that six members of the Georgian national rugby team and one support staff member had broken anti-doping regulations. WADA President Witold Bańka described the situation as “outrageous,” predicting repercussions for Georgian sport and government, alongside the global rugby community.
He expressed a loss of confidence in the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency’s (GADA) program. This incident underscores the importance of rigorous anti-doping protocols within the georgian rugby landscape.
Topics: #rugby #georgian #union
