Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA signed an agreement with the British Anti-Doping (UKAD) on Feb. 1, outlining cooperation with drug-testing programs in Russia until RUSADA returns to its former status, Russian Sports Ministry spokespeople told the TASS news agency.
"In compliance with an agreement with the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA), RUSADA and UKAD will be responsible for planning the testing of Russian athletes," Natalia Zhelanova, an aide to the Russian sports minister, told TASS.
Zhelanova added that the two nations will also make a joint decision over which laboratories are used to investigate doping.
She also confirmed that the agreement was only for a limited period of time, until RUSADA's former status is reinstated,. It was found non-compliant by WADA for "routinely" violating international testing standards.
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) temporarily suspended Russia in November after a report published by a WADA independent commission found evidence of state-sponsored doping.
Russia is aiming to recover its membership with IAAF in time for its track and field athletes to compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this summer.
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