(ATR) Russian leaders say an investigation into Russian Anti-Doping Agency acting director Anna Antseliovich’s acknowledgement of a widespread doping program is on the way.
Spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov says Antseliovich’s statement in aNew York Times article accepting an "institutional conspiracy" existed was misquoted.
"We are not bound to accept it as a primary source," Peskov said. "We have to verify the reliability of this statement and have nothing else to say at the moment."
The New York Times claims that Antseliovich’s acknowledgement of conspiracy in Russia equates to a concession of wrongdoing by Russian officials. RUSADA argues her words were "taken out of context."
RUSADA also emphasizes it does not have the authority to speak for top officials or accept the findings by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren into the extent of Russian doping. An investigation into part two of McLaren’s report is currently underway by the federal government.
"During the conversation between A.A. Antseliovich and the journalist Rebecca Ruiz, the Acting Director General pointed out that in the second part of his report published on December 9, 2016, Richard McLaren no longer used the words "state-sponsored system of doping" and instead referred to "institutional conspiracy" thereby excluding potential involvement of the top country officials," RUSADA said in a statement Wednesday.
Though RUSADA is correct in its assessment that the phrase "state-sponsored" is not in the second report, part two recognizes that the key findings of the first McLaren report remain unchanged. The key finding from part one was that state officials controlled and manipulated doping results for its top athletes.
Founding president of the World Anti-Doping Agency Richard Pound tells Around the Rings the statements by RUSADA and the Kremlin are just "word play" designed to separate top Russian leaders such as President Putin from officials in government agencies such as the sports ministry.
"It is a reluctant acknowledgment of a country-wide system of cheating, but without apology," Pound says.
"My guess is that they are spending a lot of money on spin doctors to try and blunt the impact of all the cases working their way through results management," Pound added, referring to the IOC disciplinary proceedings now underway for athletes implicated in McLaren’s investigation.
WADA president Craig Reedie tells Around the Rings that WADA will continue to work with Russia to regain code compliance and that more acknowledgment of wrongdoing would be welcomed.
"We have also been working with the authorities in Moscow - especially the Smirnov Commission - as we progress the agreed road map towards renewed compliance," Reedie tells ATR. "We have two independent experts in Moscow and progress is being made."
The IOC will also continue to closely monitor Russia’s efforts to be trusted again in the Olympic Movement but said it is "waiting for clarification" of the supposed concession by the RUSADA director.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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