PHOTO: Getty Images

Now playing

02:09

Russia banned from next Olympics and World Cup over doping

PHOTO: STR/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Protesters take cover behind homemade shields as tear gas is fired during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 1, 2021. (Photo by STR / AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Now playing

02:16

Footage shows tear gas, flash bangs used on protesters in Myanmar

PHOTO: CNN

01 rivers migrants pkg 02282021

Now playing

04:41

CNN correspondent speaks to migrants making dangerous journey to US

PHOTO: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 01: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves court after being found guilty of corruption and influence-peddling on March 01, 2021 in Paris, France. Mr. Sarkozy is only the second French president in modern times to have been convicted, after the conviction of former President Jacques Chirac in 2011. (Photo by Kiran Ridley/Getty Images)

Now playing

03:23

'An earthquake in French politics': CNN reporter on Sarkozy sentence

PHOTO: Isaac Abrack

Now playing

03:00

Hear from schoolgirl who escaped abduction in Nigeria

PHOTO: Metropolitan Police

UK police appealed for help Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, to find three teenage girls who are missing from their homes in London and are believed to be making their way to Syria. The girls, two of them 15 and one 16, have not been seen since Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, when, police say, they took a flight to Istanbul. One has been named as Shamima Begum, 15, who may be traveling under the name of 17-year-old Aklima Begum, and a second as Kadiza Sultana, 16. The third girl is identified as Amira Abase, 15.

Now playing

00:39

Shamima Begum loses legal bid to return home to appeal citizenship revocation

PHOTO: Obtained by CNN

Now playing

08:29

How a religious festival turned into a massacre

PHOTO: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 2018.

Now playing

02:10

US intel report: Saudi Crown Prince responsible for approving Khashoggi operation

PHOTO: Costa Argyrous

A Fijian rugby team serenaded workers in the Sydney hotel where they are quarantining.

Now playing

00:45

See Fijian rugby team serenade quarantine staff in Australia

PHOTO: FERNANDO MACHADO/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Soldiers stand guard outside the CRS Turi prison in Cuenca, Ecuador on February 24, 2021. - At least 79 inmates died in simultaneous riots blamed on gang warfare at four prisons in Ecuador, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by FERNANDO MACHADO / AFP) (Photo by FERNANDO MACHADO/AFP via Getty Images)

Now playing

01:54

Ecuador prison riots leave dozens dead in gang 'extermination'

PHOTO: Russia MOFA

Russian diplomats working in the Pyongyang embassy had to use a handcar as they returned home from North Korea with their family members. In a video released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday (February 25) diplomats and their family members are seen pushing a handcar and cheering as they cross the bridge which serves as a demarcation line between the two countries.

Now playing

02:38

Video shows Russian diplomats leaving North Korea on handcar

PHOTO: Daniel Slim/Getty Images

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC is seen from the air January 24, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel SLIM (Photo credit should read DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Now playing

05:24

US carries out airstrikes on Iran-backed militia groups

bhopal india vaccine covid trial sud pkg vpx_00032119.png

Now playing

03:42

These vaccine trial participants in an Indian city said they didn't know they were being tested on

PHOTO: Barcroft Media/Barcroft Media/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

CATANIA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 - Mount Etna erupts in Sicily sending plumes of ash and spewing lava into air - PHOTOGRAPH BY Marco Restivo / Barcroft Studios / Future Publishing (Photo credit should read Marco Restivo/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Now playing

01:04

See mesmerizing footage of Mount Etna spewing lava

PHOTO: CNN

Vials of vaccine are packed at the Generium Pharmaceutical plant, which is gearing up production of Sputnik V.

Now playing

03:21

Exclusive: Inside Russia's new Covid-19 vaccine factory

PHOTO: CNN

screengrab codogno lockdown one year on

Now playing

02:20

Residents in Italian town reflect on life one year under pandemic

(CNN) —

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has unanimously agreed to ban Russia from major international sporting competitions – notably the Olympics and the World Cup – for four years over doping non-compliance.

WADA’s compliance review committee (CRC) had suggested several sanctions because of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s (RUSADA) failure to cooperate fully during probes into Russian sport.

WADA’s executive committee decided to uphold the recommendations at a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday.

Russian whistleblower Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, who was influential in initially exposing the doping cover-up, praised WADA’s decision.

“Finally, Russia’s many doping and obstruction sins will now get some of the punishment they richly deserve. For far too long, Russia has weaponized doping fraud and state-sponsored criminal activity as a tool of foreign policy,” said Rodchenkov via his lawyer Jim Walden, in a statement sent to CNN.

“Let every corrupt nation that tries to play from Russia’s illicit playbook take heed of today’s monumental decision. When doping conspiracies become a crime under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, cheaters will be in U.S. prisons and clean athletes will be better protected.”

RUSADA has 21 days to accept the decision or send the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Svetlana Zhurova, first deputy chairperson of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house, suggested an appeal was very likely and that a decision would be made when RUSADA meets on December 19.

“I am 100% sure [Russia will go to court] because we must defend our athletes,” she told TASS News Agency.

The latest ban still leaves the door open for Russian athletes, who can prove they are not tainted by the scandal, to compete as neutral athletes.

For example, the Russian national team can still qualify for the World Cup finals in 2022, but if successful would have to compete as a neutral team in Qatar.

READ: World Anti-Doping Agency accused of being ‘played’ by Russia

PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Russian athletes competing under a neutral banner look on as the Olympic flag is raised during the medal ceremony at PyeongChang 2018.

If upheld, WADA’s decision means Russia will be unable to compete in events such as next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo as well as the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022. It will also be unable to host any major sporting events.

Why the ban?

However, the football team will still be able to compete in next year’s European Championship because tournament organizers UEFA fall out of WADA’s remit. European football’s governing body said it had no comment WADA’s imposition of the four-year ban.

“For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport,” said WADA President Sir Craig Reedie in a statement.

“The blatant breach by the Russian authorities of RUSADA’s reinstatement conditions, approved by the ExCo in September 2018, demanded a robust response. That is exactly what has been delivered today.”

WADA’s punishment relates to inconsistencies in data retrieved by WADA in January 2019 from the Moscow lab at the center of the 2016 McLaren report, which uncovered a widespread and sophisticated state-sponsored sports doping network.

RUSADA was initially deemed non-compliant after the publication of the McLaren report in 2016.

Commissioned by WADA, the report found the Russian state conspired with athletes and sporting officials to undertake a doping program that was unprecedented in its scale and ambition.

The findings led to sanctions, including no Russian team being present at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, with certain eligible athletes being forced to compete under a neutral flag.

Reedie continued: “Russia was afforded every opportunity to get its house in order and rejoin the global anti-doping community for the good of its athletes and of the integrity of sport, but it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception and denial.”

“As a result, the WADA ExCo has responded in the strongest possible terms, while protecting the rights of Russian athletes that can prove that they were not involved and did not benefit from these fraudulent acts.”

Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) told CNN they acknowledge and support WADA’s decision.

PHOTO: (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Fans Celebrate In Los Angeles After Lakers Win NBA Finals

Now playing

01:14

Kyrie Irving says Kobe Bryant should be the NBA logo

PHOTO: From Atlantic Campaigns

21-year-old Jasmine Harrison of @rudderlymad has completed the @TaliskerWhisky Atlantic Challenge in 70 days, 3 hours, 48 minutes, breaking the WORLD RECORD for the youngest female to row solo across any ocean!

Now playing

03:09

Jasmine Harrison's solo Atlantic rowing trip

PHOTO: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial warms up for the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on January 20, 2021. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Now playing

02:10

Racist social media abuse continues to plague UK football

PHOTO: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Wales' Anna Hursey serves during the womens team group game against Sri Lanka during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Oxenford Studios venue in Gold Coast on April 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Now playing

02:59

Anna Hursey: 14-year-old table tennis player gets call up from Biden to support climate efforts

PHOTO: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Now playing

01:16

Tokyo 2020 torch relay to begin March 25 with infection measures in place

PHOTO: Peter Fox/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - NOVEMBER 29: Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 is pictured on a screen escaping his crash during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on November 29, 2020 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Now playing

03:43

Life after seeing death: Romain Grosjean's journey back to racing

Tiger Woods career lookback Riddel pkg hnk vpx _00021906.png

Now playing

02:35

A lookback at Tiger Woods' triumph, tragedy and trauma

PHOTO: CNN / Getty Images

Now playing

02:53

Erling Haaland: The making of Europe's next football superstar

PHOTO: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - USA's gold medallist Chloe Kim poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the snowboard women's Halfpipe at the Pyeongchang Medals Plaza during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang on February 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV (Photo credit should read KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Now playing

04:36

Chloe Kim looks for 2022 Olympics glory

PHOTO: WFTS

Now playing

00:45

Tom Brady throws Super Bowl trophy from one boat to another

PHOTO: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Paris Saint-Germain's French striker Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on February 12, 2019. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Now playing

01:34

Arsene Wenger: Kylian Mbappe is the new Pele

PHOTO: @SerenaWilliams

Serena Williams w/ daughter Olympia

Now playing

00:43

Tennis legend's daughter joins her on the court

PHOTO: Cliff McBride/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)

Now playing

01:43

Vincent Jackson death, Michael Jordan donates $10M for Covid clinics

PHOTO: Getty Images

Now playing

01:10

Wrexham: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take over Welsh football team

PHOTO: www.redbullmediahouse.com

Janja Garnbret climbs on the Trbovlje Chimney in Trbovlje, Slovenia on October 13, 2020 // Jakob Schweighofer/Red Bull Content Pool // SI202011090255 // Usage for editorial use only //

Now playing

02:59

Climbing Europe's tallest chimney

PHOTO: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Christian Coleman of the United States poses for photographers after winning the Men's 100m during the Prefontaine Classic at Cobb Track & Angell Field on June 30, 2019 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Now playing