WADA athletes' commission calls for new doping investigation

The World Anti-Doping Agency athletes' commission is calling for new investigations into allegations of systematic doping into more sports in Russia and elsewhere.

The model would be the WADA report into Russian athletics in November that found evidence of widespread drug use and coverups, leading to Russia's suspension from international track and field.

Athletes' commission chair Beckie Scott says "the response to date — to such an evidence-based, incriminating report — has been unsatisfactory."

In a letter on the WADA website, Scott called for an investigation into doping in other Russian sports and in other countries that featured in the first report. No specific countries or sports are specified.

• The full statement can be read here

WADA president Craig Reedie said Wednesday he was open to more investigations but they would require strong evidence and extra funding.

Russian rugby players suspended over meldonium tests

On Saturday it was announced that a husband-and-wife pair of Russian national team rugby players have become the latest athletes to fail drug tests for meldonium.

Alexei Mikhaltsov and Alyona Mikhaltsova, who has also competed as Alyona Bogachyova, tested positive in out-of-competition tests last month, World Rugby said in a statement.

Both Russian teams are still in contention to qualify for the Olympics in August, when rugby returns to the program for the first time since 1924.

The cases mean that at least 19 athletes from four countries, including tennis star Maria Sharapova, are serving provisional suspensions for blood flow-booster meldonium, which was banned Jan. 1.

On Friday, the World Anti-Doping Agency told The Associated Press there had been 99 positive tests for meldonium worldwide this year.