From Inside the Games
Russian athletes and coaches have ignored the ban placed on the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) following allegations of systemic and state-supported doping in the country, and are still continuing with their involvement in athletics, the third documentary from German broadcasters WDR/ARD has claimed.
It alleges that coaches remain involved with illicit doping practices and that the country is violating the ban, which could further threaten their chances of competing at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro if the claims are found to be proven.
The explosive film also uncovers accusations that a member of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), which was declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) last year following the publication of the Independent Commission report, informed athletes of when they were due to be tested.
The documentary by renowned journalist Hajo Seppelt and Florian Riesewieck, entitled “Russia’s Red Herrings”, was screened on the weekly Sport Inside programme tonight.
An ARD documentary in December 2014 proved to be the catalyst for the doping scandal currently engulfing world athletics.
Allegations were made of systematic state-sponsored doping within Russia’s athletics team and a list of athletes with supposed suspect values were revealed.
Two reports from the WADA Independent Commission followed, which led to Russia being banned from international competition by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
“When an official intentionally informs athletes in advance of doping tests, in order to defeat the doping control, disciplinary consequences must follow,” International Association of Anti-Doping Organisations (INADO) chairman Joseph de Pencier said.
“This must be investigated, and a consequence would be that this person is fired.
“We are very sceptical.
“According to current knowledge, Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games.”
