Russian Rowing Association is likely to be banned for up to four
years and missed the Beijing Olympic Games after three rowers
violated the FISA anti-doping code, FISA president Dennis Oswald
said in Munich on Thursday.
"I don't believe the athletes do it themselves. There must be
someone behind them," said Oswald referring to the intravenous
infusion committed by Russian rowers this year.
A FISA doping hearing panel decided two-year bans Tuesday on the
three Russian rowers Vladimir Varfolomeev, Denis Moiseev and
Svetlana Fedorova. The reason was they had committed intravenous
infusion which is in violation of the anti-doping provisions of the
FISA rules.
"If no medical reasons behind it, it's likely for us to take a
sanction against Russian rowing association, which includes
suspension of the Association for a period of time."
According to FISA rules, up to four cases on anti-doping
violation can lead to a ban on the national association.
Oswald confirmed the fact that no prohibited substance found in
the test, but the intravenous injection without medical reason was
enough to be banned as FISA rules entitle.
Oswald reserved his attitude on banning Russian association. "We
must be conscious on this. It depends on what we learn in future
which is something with consequence," said Oswald.
"Those qualified would be disqualified if their association is
banned for the Beijing Olympic Games," added Oswald.
The investigation came out from a bag outside a hotel resided by
the Russian team after Luzern World Cup on July 15 this year.
FISA found needles and blood samples in the bag, and then sent
the bag to Lausanne laboratory for test.
On July 23, the lab had the first DNA test and compared the type
with those blood samples reserved from rowers worldwide.
The targets were streamlined to three Russian rowers. When FISA
raised the suspicion on the three lately banned Russian rowers,
they admitted they had done this before FISA showed them the test
results, according to FISA executive director Matt Smith.
Oswald stood firm to seek the people behind the case and waited
to hear reply from Russian rowing association. "I am waiting to
hear from Russian association. If a person responsible, the person
will be punished severely," said Oswald.
"First reason to impose bans on Russians is if it's a medical
treatment, it needs to have a medical certificate. They should be
in a position to provide that, and if it's an acute medical
situation, a doctor should do it for them instead of doing it
themselves and in bunch," Oswald reasoned.
As Oswald suggested, Russian team leader and coach accepted
FISA's decision of banning three athletes in very professional
way.
After making any decision over doping, FISA will inform the
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). If WADA has disagreement over the
decision, they can appeal to the Arbitration Court of Sports and
the Russian rowing association has a right to do the same.
(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)