Bobsledders React to Sochi 2014 Doping Scandal

(ATR) Veteran bobsled driver Steven Holcomb calls for justice in response to alleged Russian state-run doping in a New York Times story detailing intricate covert practices at a Sochi 2014 lab.

Holcomb and his U.S. teammates claimed two bronze medals at the Sochi Olympics, in events won by Russian sleds piloted by Alexander Zubkov. The NYT report named Zubkov as one of four Russian gold medalists who benefited from an intricate doping scheme involving the covert replacement of tainted samples with clean ones.

"I know Zubkov as a competitor and I consider him to be a friend so it was difficult and disheartening to read that," Holcomb told Around the Rings during a phone interview. "If they violated the rules, then they need to be banned and have their medals stripped," he said of the Russian bobsledders.

"We heard back in November that there were 12 bobsledders that were part of this scandal, so we already knew something was going on," Holcomb said referring to the World Anti-Doping Agency independent council report that documented Russian state-sponsored doping, related corruption and cover-ups.

"It seemed like they tried to sweep it under the rug and ignore it in November – I spoke with some of the IBSF executives and I was told straight up to let it go," said the 36-year-old U.S. bobsledder, referring to officials at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

"Before the Sochi Olympics, WADA wanted to take over the doping control and Russia was very adamant about doing it themselves and now you see why," he said. "They wanted to control it because they wanted to do some shady things."

Holcomb added: "It’s not an even playing field – WADA has completely ruined any trust the athletes had in them. It’s very frustrating."

Holcomb, also a gold medalist in the four-man event in Vancouver 2010, partnered with brakeman Steven Langton sliding to the two bronze medals, behind Zubkov and his Russian pushers.

"It is my sincere hope that the truth regarding what exactly happened in Sochi comes to light and that the individuals who did things the right way get their recognition," Langton told ATR.

"I think the first step in making any significant change is realizing that there is a real issue and I truly hope that WADA, the IOC and other governing bodies see this as an opportunity to make a positive change and a step forward."

Russians Deny Allegations

Zubkov denied the damaging doping reports, while sitting alongside Russian cross-country skiing gold medalist Alexander Legkov and deputy sport minister Yuri Nagornykh, at a news conference in Moscow on May 13.

"I considering it an accusation not supported by anything," Zubkov said, calling the story "simply lunacy."

Zubkov carried the Russian flag at the opening ceremony for the Sochi Games and at age 39, became one of the oldest bobsled drivers to win gold medals at an Olympics.

Russian minister of sport Vitaly Mutko and Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov watched Zubkov and team attain victory at the Sanki Sliding Center in Sochi.

Mutko denies claims of state-sponsored systemic doping and says a lawsuit against the New York Times is being considered over last week’s story. In the report, 2014 anti-doping lab director Grigory Rodchenkov claimed Russian athletes were assisted in evading positive tests at the Winter Games.

Rodchenkov, now living in Los Angeles, told the New York Times he was given a spreadsheet of doping athletes by the Sports Ministry before the Olympics. It allegedly bore the names of 15 athletes who later won medals, including Zubkov and Legkov.

Russia won the medal tally in Sochi ahead of the U.S., Norway and Canada, with 33 medals, including 13 gold.

Bobsleigh Fed on Sochi Doping, 2017 World Champs

Regarding the latest allegations, IBSF president Ivo Ferriani advised that the federation will "await the outcome" of future investigations before "commenting further" in a statement to Around the Rings.

"The IBSF is aware of the article published in the New York Times. We understand that the IOC has asked WADA to investigate immediately and we will await the outcome of that enquiry before commenting further," the statement read.

IBSF also stated that they did not receive any requests by athletes to take further action following the November WADA report.

The 2017 IBSF world championships are scheduled to be held at the 2014 Olympic track in Sochi.

"They can’t trust RUSADA to do the doping control there – I don’t know what’s going to happen," Holcomb said. "It’s a strange situation."

In lieu of the alleged reports of rampant cheating in the sport, Holcomb said he plans on competing at the PyeongChang 2018 Games. Zubkov retired following the Sochi Olympics.

Reported by Brian Pinelli

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