The Russian Anti-Doping Agency sent a letter to the World Anti-Doping Agency on December 27, starting a procedure to appeal against the ban on Russia's participation in the Olympics and the World Cup.

"Today we have submitted a document to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which has stated that Russia does not agree with WADA sanctions," said the Director-General of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). Yury Ganus spoke in Moscow on December 27.

This statement will trigger the ban appeal process at the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS) based in Lausanne. WADA on December 27 said it had received the letter and will send a notice to the CAS shortly.

WADA this month banned Russia from attending four-year global sporting events, including the 2020 Summer Olympics, the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 Men's World Cup, for allegedly manipulating data on the doping scandal in 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Russian athletes are still allowed to compete independently if they can prove they are not involved in the doping program or the manipulated data.

Putin criticized the politically motivated sanctions, arguing that most Russian athletes are clean and should not be deprived of the right to play under the Russian flag due to the actions of some individuals. Meanwhile, WADA President Craig Reedie insists they have made the right decision.