Second Doping Case Clouds Russian Reinstatement

(ATR) Russian bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeeva tests positive for a banned substance at the Olympics as the International Olympic Committee considers whether to reinstate Russia as it recovers from a massive doping scandal.

If confirmed by testing of the "B" sample, the bobsledder would be the second Olympic Athlete from Russia caught doping at PyeongChang 2018.

While the second case would seem to force the IOC to keep the suspension of Russia, Sergeeva’s "B" sample may not be confirmed before the IOC Executive Board meeting in PyeongChang late Saturday afternoon. Time and again the IOC has followed due process in cases involving the doping of athletes.

While the latest case may not be part of the EB decision, the case against curling bronze medalist Aleksandr Krushelnitsky is confirmed.Krushelnitsky was kicked out of PyeongChang 2018 on Feb. 22 after admitting to the use of meldonium.

The IOC executive will determine whether to restore the Russian Olympic Committee to its full status or something less, based on the recommendation of a three-member group analyzing Russia compliance with IOC sanctions.

Russian athletes have thus far competed as neutrals. When figure skater Alina Zagitova won the team’s first gold in PyeongChang, the Olympic anthem was played as she stood atop the podium.

The second doping case blemished an otherwise successful day for the O.A.R. team, with Russia taking gold and silver in women’s figure skating and the men’s O.A.R. hockey team reaching the gold medal final against Germany.

As the IOC considers Russia’s reinstatement, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Agencies says the suspension should be kept until there is admission of guilt by the Russian Olympic Committee.

"Each of you can signal to the ROC that to be recognized as an NOC requires an adherence to the fundamental values of sport and which can’t be bought," said iNADO chairman Doug MacQuarrie in an open leader to IOC leadership.

"Regardless of what you may hope, you can’t merely ‘wish away’ the most significant fraud in the history of sport. A transgression of such magnitude warrants a proportional sanction which must go well beyond an irregular attendance at the PyeongChang Games and paying a fine.

"By failing to impose a meaningful sanction on the ROC, the IOC would be culpable in this effort to defraud clean athletes of the world. Clean athletes continue to raise concerns and are understandably frustrated with the equivocal stance of the IOC when it comes to the systemic doping in Russia," says MacQuarrie.

IOC member in Aruba Nicole Hoevertsz is the chair of the O.A.R. Implementation Group that will meet Saturday in PyeongChang to prepare a recommendation to the IOC EB.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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