Press Briefing with further information on Russian rowing
case
In a press briefing by FISA President Denis Oswald and FISA
Executive Director Matt Smith, the International Rowing Federation
today revealed the sequence of events which led to the exclusion
of the three Russian athletes from the 2007 World Rowing Championships
taking place this week in Munich, Germany.
On 16 July 2007, a bag containing substances and pieces of
medical equipment used for intravenous infusions was found
in a garbage bin near the hotel of the Russian rowing team
in Lucerne, Switzerland.
The bag was immediately taken to the WADA accredited laboratory
in Lausanne, Switzerland and analysed for substances as well
as forensic evidence. Traces of blood found on the medical
equipment were tested for DNA.
FISA then organized surprise out of competition blood sampling
and urine testing on suspected Russian athletes who were taking
part in a training camp in Trakai, Lithuania. These tests
were conducted on 13 August, and all test results were negative.
More Russian athletes were tested on 23 August and all results
were negative. And finally on 29 August all remaining Russian
rowers gave blood to FISA’s appointed testers.
FISA President Denis Oswald insisted “there were no
positive tests and no prohibited substances. There was no
blood doping and no injection of EPO. This is simply a case
of intravenous infusions without medical justification.”
As soon as the first three athletes’ names were identified
through their DNA, they were called in for an anti-doping
hearing panel. This took place this week in Munich, during
the World Championships. All the athletes admitted to the
facts, and stated that they had acted alone, with no medical
supervision.
FISA Rules state that if four or more doping offences from
one national federation are revealed within a 12 month period,
serious sanctions may be taken against the national federation.
As the Russian rowing federation was already involved in a
doping case at the end of 2006, such action could be considered.
Possible sanctions include a competition ban of up to four
years for the entire federation.
Should such a decision be taken, this would mean that there
would be no Russian rowers at the Olympic Games in Beijing
next year. “This”, says Oswald, “is something
that I could imagine if it is in proportion to the offense.
However, as it would also affect innocent athletes it is a
decision which needs to be taken carefully and a full and
in depth enquiry must be concluded.” The current investigation
and the measures taken are under FISA authority.
|
