by Larry EderIt should be noted that USATF’s Stephanie Hightower and WADA were two of the fastest responses to the IAAF announcement of the expulsion. A couple of comments. It should also be noted that Mr. Bach’s comments came AFTER his meeting with the Russian Olympic Committee.
The Russians should be noted for commenting out both sides of their proverbial mouths. I am not sure that they believed the suspension would ever happen.
Red Square, Moscow, photo by PhotoRun.net
When I was asked how the the IAAF Council would respond, I said I hoped that ARAF would be suspended, but was not sure it would happen. The IAAF Council pleasantly surprised me.
The IAAF did not have to do this. The provisional expulsion allows Seb Coe some room to negotiate with Russian Sports culture. It is obvious that Mr. Putin will not be a happy camper or Russian President if Russian sports are not allowed to compete globally under Russian colors.
My guess is that Mr. Bach and the ROC Alexander Zhukov had a fascinating conversation this morning. Bach does not want to loose Russia from the IOC fold, but he also understands that all of the world is watching.
The suspension of the ARAF is huge sports politics. Seb Coe has shown that he will play for keeps and that no federation is more important that the future of the IAAF and his legacy as the leader of the global sport.
IOC
LAUSANNE (SUI): IOC President Thomas Bach released a statement after his meeting with ROC President Alexander Zhukov. “We are confident that the initiatives being proposed by the ROC, with the responsible international organisations, WADA and the IAAF, will ensure compliance as soon as possible in order to provide participation of the clean Russian athletes at the Olympic Games”.
LONDON (GBR): BBC informs that IAAF president Lord Coe said “the message could not be stronger” after Russia’s athletics federation is provisionally suspended from international competition – including the Olympic Games – for its alleged involvement in widespread doping. “Entirely up to Russian Federation and the speed we can inact change,” he said about the option of Russian athletes to compete at the Rio Games. “Our verification team will be tough,” he added among other for BBC.
IOC AND ROC
LAUSANNE (SUI): President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Alexander Zhukov has met International Olympic Committee (IOC) IOC President Thomas Bach to discuss the findings of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission Report. A. Zhukov informed the IOC President that in order to ensure the participation of the clean Russian athletes at the Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, the ROC will coordinate all efforts in Russia to address the issues mentioned in the Independent Commission Report with a view to make RUSADA, the anti-doping laboratory in Moscow and the National Athletics Federation (ARAF) compliant with the WADA code and all other international anti-doping regulations as soon as possible. To achieve this, the Russian Olympic Committee will ensure the coordination of the already ongoing thorough investigation by the national authorities in Russia with respective international organisations, including WADA and the IAAF. All officials, coaches, etc. within Russian Athletics Federation implicated in doping will be held responsible and sanctioned. All doped athletes will be sanctioned in accordance with international anti-doping regulations and all clean athletes will be protected. “I welcome the fact that the ROC expressed its firm commitment to protect the clean athletes, and to sanction all the doped athletes and officials,” said President Bach. ROC President Zhukov added: “The Russian Olympic Committee is determined that the clean athletes should compete in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Anyone found guilty of using illegal drugs or anyone who facilitated or was complicit in their use must be punished.”
EUROPEAN ATHLETICS
LAUSANNE (SUI): Following the provisional suspension of the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF) by the IAAF, European Athletics confirms that this suspension extends to its competitions and non-sporting activities with immediate effect. As a result, European Athletics will today write to the ARAF informing them that Russian athletes will not be able to compete in the upcoming SPAR European Cross Country Championships or any other European Athletics competitions until the suspension is lifted.
WADA
MONTREAL (CAN): “WADA welcomes the IAAF’s decision to declare the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) non-compliant and provisionally suspend the federation; this was one of the core recommendations in the WADA Independent Commission’s Report. “The decision is positive news for clean athletes worldwide.”
USADA
COLORADO SPRINGS (USA): USADA CEO Travis Tygart stated: “Obviously, this is the only outcome acceptable to clean athletes and while it is somewhat promising, the real test now is to ensure full justice and accountability for their actions before being allowed to compete again.”
USATF
INDIANAPOLIS (USA): USATF President and IAAF Council member Stephanie Hightower stated, “From Council’s perspective, in light of the evidence, suspension was the only proper course of action. “The IAAF has an obligation to protect athletes, and this action sends a clear message to clean athletes that protecting them and protecting the sport, with a culture of accountability, is our top priority. “It is my hope as a Council member that this process also will spur a review of the IAAF governance structure, and that we will act to implement WADA’s recommendations of instituting an ombudsman and compliance officer.”
Athletics Australia
MELBOURNE (AUS): Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer, Phil Jones welcomed the IAAF’s suspension of Russia. In the statement released by Athletics Australia, they also indicate their interest in bidding for the IAAF World Race Walking Cup, which will not be held in Russia, as scheduled, due to their suspension. Athletics Australia will make further comment on this matter after the IAAF Council has confirmed the terms of the provisional suspension at their next Council meeting, scheduled to take place at end of this month.
Harting
BERLIN (GER): Olympic discus champion Robert Harting has welcomed the suspension of Russia and called for similar investigations to be carried out in Kenya and Jamaica, report dpa. “We have clarified the issue of Russia, now we have to move forward with Kenya and Jamaica and perform the same investigations,” said the German, who is expected to return to competition at the ISTAF Indoor meet in Berlin on February 13.
Daily Telegraph
LONDON (GBR): Russian athletes could compete individually at the 2016 Olympics even if the country’s international ban is not lifted ahead of the Rio Games, Telegraph Sport can reveal. The length of Russia’s exile remains dependent on the country implementing adequate anti-doping measures, but some athletes have already begun investigating competing in Rio as Independent Olympic Athletes. While the matter is yet to be discussed at the highest level, Telegraph Sport has learned that the International Olympic Committee would consider applications from Russian athletes to compete under the Olympic flag should they be prevented from representing their country in Rio.
Sunday Marathons
SAITAMA (JPN): Russia’s Tatyana Arkhipova will not be allowed to run in Sunday’sSaitama International Marathon after the IAAF provisionally suspended the Russian athletics federation. Other names not able to run are Albina Mayorova and Nina Podnebesnova at Istanbul Marathon on Sunday.
