Revealed at last: How Russian cheats sabotaged our Olympics

THE London 2012 Olympics were “sabotaged” by the presence of Russian athletes with suspicious doping profiles, a report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has found.
Canadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission presents the findings of his Commission's ReportCanadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission presents the findings of his Commission's Report
Canadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission presents the findings of his Commission's Report

The report blames the “widespread inaction” of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) plus the Russian athletics federation (ARAF) and the Russian anti-doping agency (RUSADA) for allowing these athletes to compete at the Games.

“The IC (independent commission) has noted a cumulative lapse of action from the IAAF, ARAF and RUSADA in conjunction with pursuing suspicious profiles,” the report stated.

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“As a result of this widespread inaction, the Olympic Games in London were, in a sense, sabotaged by the admission of athletes who should have not been competing, and could have been prevented from competing, were it not for the collective and inexplicable laissez-faire policy adopted by the IAAF, ARAF and RUSADA.”

Canadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission arrives for a press conference about the Commission's ReportCanadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission arrives for a press conference about the Commission's Report
Canadian Richard Pound, Chairman of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) Independent Commission arrives for a press conference about the Commission's Report

The WADA report also called on the IAAF to suspend Russia from competition.

The commission stated in its report that it had turned over “considerable data and information” to Interpol regarding its findings “which tends to demonstrate criminal conduct on the part of certain individuals and organisations”.

Former IAAF president Lamine Diack is facing provisional suspension as an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee after French police revealed he is under investigation for allegedly receiving more than one million euros to cover up doping.

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The IOC ethics commission announced on Monday that it has recommended Diack, who stepped down as IAAF president in August, be provisionally suspended.

A sign reading doping control, at the Laura biathlon and cross-country ski center, at the 2014 Winter OlympicsA sign reading doping control, at the Laura biathlon and cross-country ski center, at the 2014 Winter Olympics
A sign reading doping control, at the Laura biathlon and cross-country ski center, at the 2014 Winter Olympics

The 82-year-old from Senegal is accused of being complicit in a cover-up of doping by Russian athletes.

His son Papa Massata Diack, advisor Habib Cisse and the former IAAF anti-doping chief Gabriel Dolle are also being investigated by French police.

The report found the Russian federation and anti-doping agency to be “non-compliant” with the WADA code and recommended the withdrawal of the Moscow laboratory’s accreditation and the removal of the laboratory’s director.

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The report identified corruption and bribery practices “at the highest levels” of the IAAF which it had presented to Interpol, and said there was a “deep-rooted culture of cheating” in Russian athletics.

IAAF president Lamine DiackIAAF president Lamine Diack
IAAF president Lamine Diack

“Many of the more egregious offenders appear to be coaches who, themselves, were once athletes and who work in connection with medical personnel,” it stated.

“This ‘win-at-all-costs’ mentality was then passed to current athletes, whether willing to participate or not.”

It added that athletes unwilling to enter into cheating were likely to be left without access to top coaches.

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The report said that it could confirm allegations made in past media reports that some Russian doctors and laboratory staff “acted as enablers for systematic cheating”.

It confirmed the “intentional and malicious” destruction of more than 1,400 samples by Russian laboratory officials.

The report said Russian law enforcement agencies were also involved in the efforts to interfere with the integrity of samples and the commission had “serious doubts” about the Russian anti-doping agency’s independence from the Russian government’s Ministry of Sport.

Most of the commission’s key findings with regard to the IAAF’s role in allegedly covering up doping offences were withheld from the report published on Monday because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

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Lord Coe has urged the IAAF council to start considering sanctions against Russia.

IAAF president Coe said in a statement: “The information in WADA’s Independent Commissions Report is alarming.

“We need time to properly digest and understand the detailed findings included in the report. However, I have urged the Council to start the process of considering sanctions against ARAF.

“This step has not been taken lightly. Our athletes, partners and fans have my total assurance that where there are failures in our governance or our anti-doping programmes we will fix them.

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“We will do whatever it takes to protect the clean athletes and rebuild trust in our sport. The IAAF will continue to offer the police authorities our full co-operation into their ongoing investigation.”