Lifting of suspension drawing criticism
Whistleblower wants RUSADA suspension to remain in force
The whistleblower who exposed Russia’s doping corruption at the Sochi Olympics added to a chorus of protest Tuesday over the possible reinstatement of the country’s anti-doping agency.
In a statement provided to The Associated Press, Grigory Rodchenkov portrayed the World Anti-doping Agency’s shifting of its requirements to end RUSADA’S suspension as a result of Russia’s unwillingness to accept findings from investigator Richard Mclaren, who detailed a government-sponsored doping program designed to win medals.
WADA is now accepting Russia’s willingness to agree with a report commissioned by the IOC that doesn’t focus as heavily on the government’s role in the cheating.
“Russia continuously denies Mclaren’s findings for the pure purpose of protecting their top-level apparatchiks who destroyed the Olympic Games in Sochi,” Rodchenkov said. “Russian political and sport bosses are there only to save themselves, and in doing so, they betray Russian athletes and sports lovers, and destroy the future of Russian sport.”
Rodchenkov, the former head of the Moscow anti-doping lab, was one of dozens to speak out two days before the WADA executive committee meets in Seychelles to decide whether to reinstate RUSADA after a nearly three-year suspension. The decision comes after WADA’S compliance review committee surprisingly recommended reinstatement last week.
Among those speaking out is WADA vice president Linda Helleland, who is a candidate to replace Craig Reedie as president when his term expires next year. Helleland, of Norway, said she would not vote for reinstatement.
“If you choose to reinstate Russia, you defy the very wish of the Athletes’ Committees around the world, who have very clearly stated that they will not accept a reinstatement now,” Helleland said. “This moment will forever define the credibility of WADA as the independent and strong front runner for clean sport.”
Members of the athlete committees from WADA and the U.S. Olympic Committee, along with a group of international anti-doping leaders and a key supporter of Rodchenkov’s, put out statements urging WADA’S executive committee not to reinstate RUSADA.
“As athletes, we have to follow the rules every single day,” that group’s statement read, “and we expect the same from all anti-doping organizations and stakeholders.”
More than three dozen U.S. athletes wrote a letter to Reedie that said, in part: “By acting on promises, and not proven compliance, WADA’S decision on reinstating RUSADA would weaken the increasingly delicate integrity of international sport.”