Russia Hits Out at Latest Doping Allegations

(ATR) Sports minister Vitaly Mutko has blasted fresh revelations about Russian doping in a documentary screened by German broadcaster ARD/WDR.

Saying it was an attack on Russia, Mutko told Russian media he had been personally targeted by the former head of Moscow’s anti-doping laboratory Grigory Rodchenkov. He denied allegations in the ‘Doping Secret: Showdown for Russia’ TV program that he covered up the positive doping test of a Russian footballer.

The documentary also shows what it claims are two Russian coaches, banned for doping violations, still training Russian athletes. One is said to be former race-walking coach Viktor Chegin.

Mutko’s advisor Natalia Zhelanova is also dragged into the Russian doping scandal in the ARD documentarypresented by German journalist Hajo Seppelt.

Rodchenkov alleges that it cost $500,000 in bribes to hide a positive doping test at the London 2012 Olympics and that she was involved in a state-sponsored cover-up, interfering with anti-doping agency RUSADA and passing bribes to the IAAF.

In a statement to Around the Rings on Thursday, the Russian sports ministry rubbished ARD's claims about Russian wrongdoing.It defended Mutko, insisting the allegations against him "are without foundation. No evidence has been produced to substantiate the claims of Dr Rodchenkov, who is now known to be a criminal and a doper".

On the ARD allegations about Zhelanova, the statement said there was no evidence to support the claims made by Rodchenkov whose reputation had been discredited."He presented himself as a renowned anti-doping expert, gaining international recognition for his work amongst the anti-doping movement," the ministry said.

"In reality, by his own later admission, Dr Rodchenkov was a criminal, carrying out illegal activities that violated the spirit of fair sport for years. Any allegations made by Dr Rodchenkov should be seen with this in mind."

The statement emphasized that Zhelanova "has been, and continues to be, a reformer and a key figure in Russia’s fight against doping and dopers".

Together with Mutko, she is a key figure in efforts to persuade the IAAF to lift its suspension on Russia’s athletics team to allow them to participate at the Rio Olympics.

The IAAF Council rules on Russia at a meeting in Vienna on June 17.

The sports ministry also reacted to allegations that banned coaches are still actively training Russian athletes, saying reforms of its anti-doping system was underway. "No banned coaches are receiving any support, financial or otherwise, from the Government," it said. "It is difficult to monitor the activities of individuals, but if any improper activity is brought to light we will investigate and address it immediately."

With the IAAF’s decision on Russia coming next week, All-Russian Athletics Federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said there was nothing new in the ARD documentary to concern Russian sports officials.

"I cannot say how the release of this film will affect the chances of the ARAF to return to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on June 17," he was quoted by TASS news agency.

But Richard Pound, who unveiled theWorld Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report that resulted in Russian track and field athletes being suspended from international competition last November, disagrees.

He tells Seppelt the new report is going to make it far more difficult for the Russians to persuade the IAAF to lift the suspension. Pound went further, saying Mutko should be held responsible.

"It may be one of these cases where you have to say ‘all right, we do now have to acknowledge that there was state involvement and the concept of ministerial responsibility that we have in our system applies to some degree in Russia and so the minister has to take the blame for it.’

German Olympic Sports Confederation CEO Michael Vesper, who guested on an ARD TV program after the documentary aired last night, said he expected consequences for Russia ahead of the Rio Olympics "if the allegations are proven correct".

"I think the film is shocking. It shows doping destroys the esteem of sport, the trust in sport, the values of sports and the athletes who use it," Vesper said.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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