McLaren says doping denials hurting Russia

Russian sports officials risk talking themselves into a tougher punishment for the country’s Olympic team, according to the investigator who detailed an orchestrated doping program.

Richard McLaren’s work verifying allegations of systematic cheating by Russia at the 2014 Sochi Games has been vindicated this month by an International Olympic Committee panel that so far has found 22 winter sports athletes guilty.

However, Russian officials continue to deny state agencies organized the doping. They have tried to shift blame onto other international sports bodies, including the IO C and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“They are really weakening their own position,” McLaren said from a conference on sports corruption one week before the IOC executive board decides how to punish Russia. “Lack of contrition, a lack of candour about what is going on definitely influences you when you are thinking about an appropriate sanction.”

As a longtime Court of Arbitration for Sport judge, McLaren said lawyers typically note a refusal to accept responsibility.

In his speech Tuesday at the Play The Game conference in the Netherlands, McLaren cited recent denials by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko and IOC member Alexander Zhukov.

“The more you put out these statements that don’t make any sense, the more you build credibility for the other side and destroy your own position,” the Canadian professor said, also pointing to Vladimir Putin’s claim that western nations were trying to pressure Russia before its presidential election in March.

Russia’s reputation is also under scrutiny as Putin prepares to welcome FIFA leaders and international soccer officials to the State Kremlin Palace Friday for the World Cup draw.