Anti-doping: Three Russian rowers banned from 2007 World
Rowing Championships
FISA Anti-Doping Decision
The International Rowing Federation (FISA) announced this
morning that three athletes, Vladimir Varfolomeev and Denis
Moiseev from the Russian lightweight men’s double and
Svetlana Fedorova from the Russian women’s eight have
been declared ineligible for a period of two years for a violation
of Article 2.2 of these Anti-Doping Bye-Laws; Use of a Prohibited
Method.
In the press briefing, Matt Smith, FISA Executive Director,
explained that FISA had held two doping hearing panels last
night. As a result of this, the Russian lightweight men’s
double sculls have been disqualified and the Russian women’s
eight has been excluded because one athlete was ineligible
here in Munich. Substitution of an athlete after the start
of a regatta is only possible for medical reasons, the women’s
eight cannot continue to compete in this regatta loosing their
chance to qualify for the Olympics at this event.
Matt Smith emphasized that these cases did not involve prohibited
substances, but a prohibited method; intravenous infusion.
Anti-doping tests were carried out on the athletes involved
just before the Championships and that testing was negative.
As investigations are still underway no further information
can be revealed before tomorrow.
Last year, rower Olga Samulenkova of the Russian women’s
quadruple scull tested positive for an exogenous source of
metabolites of testosterone. Although she had been tested
before the Championships, the test result had been communicated
to FISA in September, after the athlete had won a gold medal
at the 2006 World Rowing Championships. The crew then subsequently
lost their title and the athlete was banned from competition
in the sport of rowing for two years.
FISA’s efforts to fight doping have always been highly
regarded. Just last week, FISA conducted 44 out of competition
tests on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 at the regatta course,
and all tests have come back negative. There are no pending
results as of the start of this year’s championships.
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