Russian Doping Scandal = BIG Olympic Threat

[LatinXTC]

Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere already, but I ran into this while searching for weightlifting. Apparently 20 weightlifting athletes, 10 each from the Beijing and London Olympics have tested positive. The London athletes' tests "were described as confirmed positives, or adverse analytical findings." The Beijing ones still have to go through B Sample Analyses.

Article also discusses that Kazakhstan has 5 athletes tested positive in both games that still have to go through b sample analyses. No known info on who the athletes were, what events they were in, and how many of the 5 competed in which Olympics.

And the end it identifies as two Russian athletes whose b-samples came back negative, walker Denis Nizhegorodov and rower Alexander Kornilov.

http://www.westport-news.com/sports/article/Weightlifting-fed-says-20-presumed-positives-in-7966049.php

BUT, news doesn't end there! Two Russian weightlifting medalists from the Beijing Olympics have tested positive for steroids, Marina Shainova and Nadezhda Evstyukhina. Their b-sample tests came back positive, which means there will be an open investigation on their doping and they could very well be stripped of their medals! Clearly this is an indication that track & field athletes aren't the only ones that need to be banned. The entire country should be up for consideration to be banned from the Olympics.

http://sports.ndtv.com/olympics-2016/news/259333-russian-olympic-weightlifting-medalists-test-positive-for-steroids

[zekekelso]

Is it ridiculous because it's too high, too low, or that she got one?

I could see six months max. Two years is way too much.

[Quaker2001]

Two years for Sharapova? That's the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

No, wait, I forgot about the suggestion Russia be allowed to compete but not get medals. Sharapova's the 2nd most ridiculous thing I've ever heard

How many years have you been posting on GamesBids? You know you've seen way more ridiculous things than that!

[LatinXTC]

I could see six months max. Two years is way too much.

I'm sick and tired of these slap on the wrist punishments. If there is going to be any progress with doping, there should be strict almost career-ending bans. Like a minimum of 5 years.

[zekekelso]

In case you naively wondered how Russia could have gotten all this cheating past the WADA, good piece from the New York Time on how useless (if not flat out corrupt) the WADA is:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/16/sports/olympics/world-anti-doping-agency-russia-cheating.html?smid=tw-nytsports&smtyp=cur&_r=1

TL;DR: Russian athletes were flat out confessing to the WADA and offering to spill the beans, and the WADA did nothing other than accept checks from the countries they were supposed to investigate.

[Rob2012]

Russian Athletics' hopes of going to Rio Olympics recede after damning Wada report

• Wada obstructed and intimidated by Russian security services
• One athlete tried to fake a test and bribe a doping control officer

The World Anti-Doping Agency appeared to hammer another nail into the coffin of Russian track and field athletes’ hopes of competing in the Olympics on Wednesday by detailing numerous violations of its rules when it tried to take samples in the country – including its testers being obstructed and intimidated by Russian security services and officials.

In a report published two days before the IAAF decides on whether to readmit Russia’s track and field team to international competition in time for the Rio Olympics Wada also revealed that packages containing samples had been tampered with by Russian customs services and that a number of athletes had provided false information on their whereabouts and avoided drugs testers at competitions.

The report, entitled Play True – Update on the Status of Russia Testing, revealed that 736 tests required from Russian athletes were declined or cancelled from November 2015 to earlier this month. There were also 52 positive tests and 111 whereabouts failures over the same period.

In one particularly damning example the report explains how a Russian track and field athlete tried to tamper with sample collection procedures – first by using a container of clean urine inserted inside her body and, when that spilled, by attempting to bribe the doping control officer (DCO) collecting the sample.

As the report notes: “When she tried to use the container it leaked on to the floor and not into the collection vessel. The athlete threw the container into the trash which was retrieved by the DCO. The athlete also tried to bribe the DCO. Eventually the athlete provided a sample which subsequently returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF).”

Another track and field athlete was “observed running away from notification area/mixed zone after competing and prior to chaperone attempting notification”, while on other occasions when DCOs were present, athletes decided not to complete their events or withdrew from start lists.

The report also says that Wada’s officers were intimidated and that armed FSB security agents threatened their testers with expulsion from the country. It also found that in a number of cases “sample transportation packages had been opened by Russian customs”.

More @ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/15/russian-rio-olympic-hopes-recede-wada-report

[StefanMUC]

So just in: IAAF extended the ban. No Russians in Rio (for Athletics at least).

Best news in a while. Mutko & Putin fuming and already preparing Western conspiracy statements, I guess.

[Rob2012]

So just in: IAAF extended the ban. No Russians in Rio (for Athletics at least).

I wouldn't be too sure. The BBC seem to think the IOC will fudge it next week and let "clean" (whatever that means, I mean, how do we know?!) Russian athletes in under their authority. We know how close Bach and Putin are.

[zekekelso]

I wouldn't be too sure. The BBC seem to think the IOC will fudge it next week and let "clean" (whatever that means, I mean, how do we know?!) Russian athletes in under their authority. We know how close Bach and Putin are.

Especially if Putin is threatening to boycott the games if this isn't done. (I have no evidence he is, just what I expected all along.)

[StefanMUC]

Especially if Putin is threatening to boycott the games if this isn't done. (I have no evidence he is, just what I expected all along.)

Oh a Russian boycott...how many tears would be shed about that?

Ah right, none.

[baron-pierreIV]

A shorter Athletes' parade at OC!! Yeay!!!

[Citius Altius Fortius]

I heard that the IOC won't allow a participation of Russian track and field athletes under Russian Flag when IAAF has extended the ban - the only way for Russian track and field athletes is to compete under the Olympic Flag, when they are able to prove that they didn't use drugs...

[baron-pierreIV]

I heard that the IOC won't allow a participation of Russian track and field athletes under Russian Flag when IAAF has extended the ban - the only way for Russian track and field athletes is to compete under the Olympic Flag, when they are able to prove that they didn't use drugs...

Hi Martin, Long time no see or hear.

But what "team" would that be? I mean there is the FYROM, then the "Olympic Team of Refugees," so what should the 3rd, special team be:

ARFFKNUD - "Athletes of the Russian Federation, Formerly Known for Not Using Drugs"? LOL!! I mean the Russians are such f*cking cheats in nearly everything they do; it's endemic in their psyche.

Edited June 17, 2016 by baron-pierreIV

[LatinXTC]

I think motherf**ker russia would forbid their athletes from competing under the Olympic flag. Their ego would want that Russian representation at the Olympics to be high. Hopefully another ban will happen for 2018 Pyeongchang!

And an all-Russian ban would be the best thing ever for China and other countries, especially the US. Let's see if we can beat our 1984 Los Angeles record! But for now, let's celebrate this good news!

[rio2016man]

This whole Russian doping scandal would make for a great 30 for 30 documentary

[Ikarus360]

I guess knowing their ego they might boycott the opening ceremony as a silent protest agains the IOC. Meh, who cares.

[LatinXTC]

I guess knowing their ego they might boycott the opening ceremony as a silent protest agains the IOC. Meh, who cares.

OR do what Ukraine did during the Paralympics OC in Sochi and just have a flag bearer. No on will care lol

[Citius Altius Fortius]

Hi Martin, Long time no see or hear.

Hey - yeah, I took a long break...

I am getting ready to travel to Rio in August for the Olympics - got a lot of tickets and I will have some time after the Games to travel around in Brasil...

[zekekelso]

**** is about to get real.

To the surpise of no one, star track coach Jama Aden was busted today in Spain. Well, no one is surprised that Jama and his athletes are dirty. But there is surprise that the blind, toothless IAAF teamed up with Spanish police and went after him.

http://fittish.deadspin.com/dibabas-coach-arrested-for-administering-and-distributi-1782299751

[gotosy]

Russian athletics team members to compete under own flag at Rio 2016

Russian track and field athletes deemed eligible to compete will be able to do so under their own flag at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

This was announced by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach following an Olympic Summit here today.

All athletes competing at Rio 2016 from Russia and Kenya will have to undergo additional testing overseas in order to remain eligible, however.

An extraordinary World Conference on Doping will be called by the World Anti-Doping Agency in order to address "deficiencies" in the anti-doping system.

The meeting was attended by figures including Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) counterpart Sebastian Coe.

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1038711/russian-athletics-team-members-to-compete-under-own-flag-at-rio-2016

[gotosy]

updating

Russian chief says clean athletes to appeal IAAF blanket ban

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Any competitor from Russia or Kenya wishing to take part in the Rio Olympics will need to be individually evaluated and declared eligible by their sport's international federation, Olympic chief Thomas Bach said on Tuesday.

The special measure is being introduced because of the unsatisfactory state of anti-doping bodies in the two countries, which Bach said put "very serious doubts on the presumption of innocence".

Russian track and field athletes remain banned from Rio after the IOC offered "respect, approval and support" for the blanket ban on them, extended on Friday by world athletics' governing body for systemic doping.

But there is still a chance those athletes could compete as Russian Olympic chief Aleksander Zhukov said clean Russian athletes would appeal the "legally indefensible" ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Any athletes who succeed in their appeal would compete under the Russian flag, Bach said, not an Olympic or neutral one.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/russian-chief-says-clean-athletes-appeal-iaaf-blanket-120905058--spt.html

[LatinXTC]

John Oliver from Last Week Tonight just posted a video talking about this very subject!

[gotosy]

IAAF name Stepanova as first Russian granted permission to compete internationally under neutral flag

Doping cheat turned whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova has become the first Russian athlete to be granted permission to compete internationally under a neutral flag by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

She is now free to compete in the European Athletics Championships starting in Amsterdam on Wednesday (July 6).

This decision was made by the three-person IAAF Doping Review Board, who have also received over 80 applications from other athletes from the world's largest country.

All Russians were encouraged to apply for "exceptional eligibility" following the decision to extend the nation's suspension from the IAAF earlier this month following allegations of state sponsored doping.

Only those who can prove they were operating under a clean drugs testing system will be selected, however, with this expected to mean only those, like Stepanova, who are based outside the country.

"The Doping Review Board, which is composed of Robert Hersh (chair), Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski, has unanimously accepted the application of Yuliya Stepanova under Competition Rule 22.1A© as someone having made a truly exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of clean athletes, fair play and the integrity and authenticity of the sport," said a statement today.

"Ms Stepanova is now eligible to compete in International Competitions as an independent neutral athlete."

....

http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1039075/iaaf-name-stepanova-as-first-russian-granted-permission-to-compete-internationally-under-neutral-flag

[gotosy]

Sports court puts Russian appeal on fast track

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The highest court in sports will use a fast-track procedure to hear Russia's appeal against the ban on its track and field athletes from the Olympics, saying Monday that a ruling would be issued on July 21.

The Russian Olympic Committee and track and field's world governing body, the IAAF, said Sunday that Russia's appeal on behalf of 68 athletes would be heard July 19 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The parties have agreed to an expedited procedure which should conclude on 21 July 2016 with the issuance of the final decision," CAS said in a statement Monday.

The Olympics open in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.

The appeal focuses on a challenge to the rule that athletes cannot compete internationally if their national track and field federation is suspended, as Russia's is. It does not seek to overturn the suspension of Russia's federation.

CAS said the appeal seeks to secure Olympic participation for "any Russian athlete who is not currently the subject of any period of ineligibility for the commission of an anti-doping rule violation."

Russian officials have said the IAAF ban unfairly excludes athletes who have not been linked to doping. The IAAF, however, says the entire Russian system has been corrupted by widespread doping, and it is impossible to prove who is clean.

The Russian committee's legal head, Alexandra Brilliantova, said the 68 athletes covered by the appeal were "of absolutely flawless reputation, not involved in doping scandals, not linked to certain coaches."

Brilliantova acknowledged the list had been cut from 69 athletes after Olympic high jump champion Anna Chicherova was provisionally suspended after her 2008 Olympic sample came back positive in retesting.

The 68, chosen by the suspended Russian track federation, were also in an international testing pool and met relevant qualifying standards in their events, Brilliantova said.

The IAAF suspended Russia in November after a World Anti-Doping Agency report detailed widespread, state-sponsored doping in Russian track and field. The ban was upheld by the IAAF in a vote last month

The IAAF approved a new rule allowing Russians to apply to compete as "neutral athletes" in Rio if they can show they have been based outside the country and subject to testing from a respected, non-Russian anti-doping agency.

More than 80 Russians have applied for this procedure but only a handful are likely to be eligible.

The IAAF has already approved an application from Russian athlete and whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, whose testimony of doping within the Russian team, including undercover footage of apparent doping confessions, formed an important part of the evidence against Russia in the WADA investigation.

Stepanova is due to return to competition Wednesday at the European championships in Amsterdam, racing in the 800 meters as a "neutral athlete" not representing a particular country.

AP

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/808411fbd0ba4ffdba2b47a66ce791f0/sports-court-puts-russian-appeal-fast-track

[StefanMUC]

"Brilliantova"...could make this up.

I'm not too hopeful the CAS will side with the IAAF, sadly.