The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has concluded its landmark investigation, Operation Lims, resulting in more than 300 sanctions against Russian athletes. The probe, which utilized data seized from the Moscow laboratory in 2019, led to 291 athletes being sanctioned across 22 sports, with 11 facing multiple violations. Weightlifting accounted for the highest number (107), followed by athletics (93).
WADA President Witold Banka hailed the operation as "the most successful investigation in anti-doping history." He emphasized that the controversial 2018 decision to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) under strict conditions was crucial to obtaining the lab data. "Without that decision, we would never have been able to obtain the critical evidence," Banka said.
The investigation also uncovered data manipulation, which contributed to Russia receiving a four-year ban from major sporting events in 2019. That ban expired in 2023, but many international bodies continue to restrict Russian participation due to the invasion of Ukraine. However, some organizations have recently allowed Russian athletes to compete under their flag.
A total of 22 sports were involved, including aquatics, archery, athletics, biathlon, bobsleigh, boxing, canoe, football, ice hockey, judo, kettlebell, pentathlon, powerlifting, rowing, sambo, skating, skiing, and more.