the watchdog didnt establish an independent commission to examine the claims until December 2014.Thune also questioned whether the anti-doping agency is adequately independent, n

WASHINGTON -- The World Anti-Doping Agency didnt immediately investigate allegations of systematic cheating by the Russian Olympic team because it lacked the authority to conduct such an inquiry, according to the watchdogs president.Sir Craig Reedie told the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in a letter that the panel released Friday that the anti-doping agencys investigative powers were expanded early in 2015. Thats five years after Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the agency was made aware of allegations of widespread government-sanctioned doping among Russian athletes.Before the agency received more authority, its practice was to assist governments and local anti-doping authorities with their investigations, Reedie told Thune in the letter, dated July 5. That assistance included developing protocols for proper evidence gathering and information sharing between governments and sports organizations, he said.There was no delay on our part in furthering the information that was received over a period of time in regard to these allegations, Reedie wrote. He also told Thune the initial reports of cheating by Russian athletes that the agency received from a whistleblower were not shared with Russian authorities. To do so would have been a grave lack of judgment on our behalf, he wrote.Russian track and field athletes are banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations from competing globally, including in the Rio Olympics, because of systematic doping. But IAAF President Sebastian Coe said 136 Russians have applied for clearances.The Senate Commerce Committee has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over sports. Thune wrote to Reedie last month, outlining in a seven-page letter his numerous concerns with how the watchdog group handled the allegations of cheating by the Russian team.The senator said a robust anti-doping agency is indispensable to fairness in sports and the health and safety of athletes. But the agencys response to reports of an elaborate state-sponsored doping program in Russia called the agencys strength and credibility into question, he said.Thune said his committee independently confirmed media reports that the agency knew of the doping among Russian athletes and Moscows involvement in February 2010. But the watchdog didnt establish an independent commission to examine the claims until December 2014.Thune also questioned whether the anti-doping agency is adequately independent, noting that board members are permitted to serve in executive positions with sports organizations.Reedie said his agencys power to investigate didnt officially become part of the world anti-doping code until January 2015 and it set up the commission a month prior in anticipation of this authority coming into force.The agency does not have any concrete information of any state-sponsored doping program beyond Russias, Reedie said. If that information is forthcoming, then we would not hesitate to institute an investigation, he wrote.Reedie also defended the agencys integrity and impartiality. He said members of the agencys board and executive committee sign conflict of interest statements.---Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner Wholesale Jerseys China .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. http://www.jerseyswholesale.net/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Stitched Cheap Jerseys . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Wholesale Jerseys Authentic . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Comilla Victorians 170 for 6 (Kayes 52, Sunny 2-29) beat Rangpur Riders 162 for 8 (Shahzad 45, Rashid 3-13) by eight runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Rangpur Riders will have to hope Dhaka Dynamites beat Khulna Titans in the last league game of the tournament on Sunday evening to progress through to the BPL playoffs after they lost to Comilla Victorians by eight runs in Mirpur.Rangpur fell eight short of a 171-target. Ziaur Rahman waged a fightback to make an unbeaten 21-ball 38, but it wasnt enough. Mohammad Shahzad did a bulk of the scoring initially - he made 45 of Rangpurs 57 runs. But the loss of four wickets in the process hampered their chase.When Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan legspinner, had his hero Shahidd Afridi stumped off a googly for a 19-ball 38, Rangpur were all but out of the contest.dddddddddddd Rashid was the best bowler on the night, taking 3 for 13 off his four overs.Earlier, Comilla werre driven by an 88-run stand in just 10.2 overs between Imrul Kayes and Khalid Latif. Imrul brought up his first fifty this season; he made 52 off just 35 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Latif struck 43, before the middle order stumbled to ensure they finished with far less than they should have got.For Rangpur, Arafat Sunny and Rubel Hossain took two wickets apiece while Afridi had one. 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