Russian Athletes Prepare for Revenge - Suing Over Disqualifications Based on False Testimony
Today it has become known that Russian athletes are going to file lawsuits in European courts. The reason is the publication of Rodchenkov's testimony in which the runaway WADA informer discredited a number of his own charges. He did it back in January, admitting that he had never seen our athletes taking the drugs. Back then, his words were hidden from the public, and as a result, our team was banned from the Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Dmitry Petrov investigates why the sports officials are suddenly breaking their silence now.
Grigory Rodchenkov could not answer any of the judges' questions. The session, so crucial for Russia's sport, took place behind closed doors at the Court of Arbitration in Lausanne on January 22nd. The runaway director of RUSADA was confused while testifying, even without the press and witnesses. For example, he couldn't remember the exact composition of the "Duchess cocktail" — a doping mixture of anabolics and alcohol, which he allegedly invented. This cocktail became first known in December 2016, when it was presented by Richard McClaren in the second part of his report on doping in Russia. He stated, there was a "Duchess List" of 40 athletes, whose samples were later to be substituted. However, the "list", which McLaren received from Rodchenkov was an ordinary piece of paper. According to Dr. Rodchenkov's oral testimony, he has never distributed the cocktail "Duchess"; hasn't seen the athletes or coaches being forced to use the cocktail "Duchess"; hasn't seen athletes substituting samples for analysis.
A few months earlier, in an interview with The New York Times and other foreign media, he described in detail how he made the athletes take the drugs. Rodchenkov's alleged diary with records of all this was publically displayed. For the sake of this, he later changed his appearance and put on a spy show.
Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President: "In fact, this person actually confirms his lies and unsoundness of his previous words. Of course, we hope that this situation will make the various organizations to scrupulously re-examine the origins of certain decisions, which they took regarding our athletes."
Pavel Kolobkov, Russian Sports Minister: "The publication of this motivational report talks in detail about everything, it states what McClaren's information was based on, it was based on Rodchenkov's statements, which have no proof."
The decision to ban 43 Russian athletes from competing in the Olympics was based on these unproven conclusions. Later, on February 1st, the CAS fully justified 28 athletes and mitigated sentences for 11 more. However, they didn't have enough time to take part in the Olympics.
For example, the skier Alexander Legkov was disqualified then, but now he is fully justified.
Alexander Legkov, 2014 Olympic Champion in Speed Skiing: "There are 156 pages. It's so long and hard to read them, I've analyzed almost 30 at the moment. Well, Agatha Christie can't even compare to it!"
Alexander Tretyakov, 2014 Olympic Champion in Skeleton: "Well, we'll see what actions the IOC will take, they said they want to dispute these decisions in the Swiss Supreme Court."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that Russia will be protecting the legitimate rights of its blameless athletes in the international arena. The Minister of Sport confirmed that we are preparing for new court sessions and the entire country is supporting the athletes.
Dmitry Guberniev, sports commentator: "This mocking of a battle will keep going, but we must continue participating with pride and keep proving the power of Russian sport."
Dmitry Petrov, Maksim Shepilov, Vesti