RUSSIA DRUGS SHAME

A REPORT which reveals Russian athletes are hiding in military cities and even running away during races to evade drugs testers appears to be the final nail in the coffin for their hopes of competing at the Rio Olympics.

The report has been published by the World Anti- doping Agency, while the International Association of Athletics Federation’s decision on whether to lift the ban on Russia’s athletes for Rio is due tomorrow. The report’s findings are so damaging that even the most sympathetic observers can surely see no way of allowing them back into the Olympic fold this summer.

When requested by a tester to give a urine sample, one athlete is accused of using a container inserted inside her body, presumably containing clean urine, to manipulate the result.

When found out, the athlete tried to bribe the tester.

Another method of dodging tests is to state a location inside military cities within Russia where testers have limited access. ‘ Athletes know special permission is needed to gain access (to the cities),’ the report reads. ‘ Athletes provide this location even if they aren’t there, to deter test planning.’

The report, which reveals there have been 52 adverse analytical findings over a threemonth period this year, also describes how one athlete ‘exited the stadium during her race’ to avoid testers.

The 27-member IAAF council led by Seb Coe rules on Russia’s Olympic inclusion tomorrow.