The Russian doping scandal refers to a widespread state-sponsored doping program that was uncovered in the early 2010s. It involved the systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs by Russian athletes across various sports, particularly during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Investigations revealed that the Russian government and sports officials were complicit in covering up positive drug tests and manipulating samples. In 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published a report detailing these practices, leading to significant consequences for Russian sports. As a result, many athletes were banned from international competitions, and the Russian Olympic Committee faced sanctions, including being barred from the 2018 Winter Olympics.