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Russian athletes have been tested more rigorously than the vast majority of their competitors around the world during coronavirus lockdowns, according to acting director general of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Mikhail Bukhanov.
Speaking after the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday (December 17th) to halve the four-year period of sanctions proposed for Russian sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said Bukhanov. in games: “The agency was able to reach the level of the annual sampling indicators earlier than expected [in 2020].
“With a target of 7,500 samples, RUSADA selected 7,644.
“Even considering the fact that we were forced to stop testing during the COVID lockdown.
“Russian athletes have undergone more rigorous tests than the vast majority of athletes.”
Bukhanov pointed out that RUSADA’s budget over the past three years has grown significantly to reach $ 7million (£ 5.4million / € 6million) per year, a total surpassed internationally by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
“RUSADA has stepped up its anti-doping regime in recent years and maintained it by COVID better than many other anti-doping agencies,” he added.
“This is recognized by WADA.
“In view of this, we would like to have the chance to continue our daily work, to continue to test, analyze the results and implement our educational programs.”
Asked whether more intensive testing of Russian athletes would help restore global confidence in the honesty of their system following the doping scandals that erupted five years ago and the more recent manipulation of the data presented to WADA by the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, Bukhanov replied: “I fully agree with the approach of intensive testing.
“RUSADA’s figures speak for themselves.
“Regarding the cleanliness of Russian sports performances – I have a huge problem with collective guilt.
“I am a lawyer by training and the presumption that individuals are guilty until proven innocent is a huge red flag.
“If you don’t think you will be held personally responsible, where is the deterrence?
“I don’t think doping issues should have any national or other categorization.
“Doping is a sad reality in sport, but we believe that only personal responsibility should be the main aspect of solving this problem.
“I think the most important thing in this CAS decision is the possibility for clean athletes to participate in the Olympic Games and the World Championships.”
“RUSADA’s main goal throughout the case was to give our athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level and not be punished for the actions of a few.
“This is essentially the main reason why we disagree with the decision of the WADA Executive Committee in 2019.
“The text of the CAS decision indicates that the group” considered questions of proportionality and, in particular, the need to effect a cultural change and to encourage the next generation of Russian athletes to participate in clean international sport “.
“I am absolutely sure that every clean athlete, no matter what country he represents, should have the opportunity to compete.
“Regarding reinstatement, I think we will work closely with WADA to develop the necessary steps to meet the compliance criteria.
“As our communication with WADA has been quite constructive lately, I hope that we will find the best solution to each point mentioned in the decision.”
Bukhanov argued before and after the CAS ruling that RUSADA had no control or jurisdiction over the data transmitted to WADA by the Moscow anti-doping laboratory.
The manipulation of the data prompted WADA to request the four-year period of selected sanctions against Russian sports activities, but pure Russian athletes are still eligible to compete as neutrals.
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