Russia was barred from competing in int'l athletics after the IAAF council suspended the Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) "in the wake of damning doping revelations," according to Ron Lewis of the LONDON TIMES. IAAF President Sebastian Coe said that the sport was in "a shameful situation" as he announced that Russia had been provisionally suspended from its membership of the IAAF, by a vote of 22 to 1. Russian athletes will be able to compete only in domestic competitions "until the suspension is overturned." Coe said, "Our sport finds itself in a shameful situation, that is why I can confirm that the council has overwhelmingly voted with immediate effect to suspend the Russian federation. It is the strongest sanction we could apply and it is why our council has sent such a strong message." Russia was also stripped of the World Junior Championship and World Team Race Walking Championships, "which were due to be staged in Kazan and Cheboksary respectively next year." To regain membership of the IAAF, the Russian federation would have to fulfill a list of criteria to show that its anti-doping program "was up to scratch and that those involved in doping had been exiled" (LONDON TIMES, 11/14). In London, Moore & Farchy reported Russia has become the first country in sporting history to be "banned from competition because of doping offences." Russia has insisted that it is "not the only country which carries out mass doping." Before the vote, Russia Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko accused the IAAF of "concealing more than 150 doping cases, mostly from countries other than Russia." In a formal response to the IAAF, ARAF "blamed the cheating on its previous leadership." ARAF acting President Vadim Zelichenok said, "We agreed with some of WADA's positions. However we explained that all these irregularities happened under the old leadership of the Russian Athletics Federation and took place some time ago" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/13). In N.Y., Mather & Clarey reported national federations have been suspended from int'l bodies over governance issues, but the move to suspend a national federation because of doping "was without precedent in track and field." Former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority CEO Richard Ings said, "This is a very new and uncomfortable space for sport: the family disciplining its own. Those cozy international sport cocktail parties will be a little icier. They aren't used to turning on family." Russia has disputed much of the WADA report, but on Friday "it promised to take steps to improve its doping controls" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/13). The AFP reported Mutko said that "the ban was predictable." Mutko: "I don't think they could have taken any other decision with the sword of Damocles that they had over their heads, with the pressure exerted on the commission." Mutko, who initially ruled out any Olympic boycott in the event of a ban, also broached the idea of appointing a "foreign specialist" as head of the doping laboratory, a move toward "openness never before seen in Russian sport." Mutko said, "We are ready to cooperate (with the IAAF) so that our athletics is brought up to the norms demanded of us" (AFP, 11/14). In Sydney, Mitch Phillips wrote Coe, who was elected IAAF president in August, had been under heavy pressure to take "tough action," despite efforts by Russian officials to "avoid a blanket ban" by agreeing to cooperate and make reforms in their anti-doping system. Coe said, "This is not about politics, this is about protection of clean athletes." An independent inspection team led by Norwegian anti-doping expert Rune Andersen "will be appointed in the next few days to verify Russia's progress" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/14).
'TOO HARSH': REUTERS' Jack Stubbs wrote Zelichenok was quoted as saying the IAAF decision to suspend Russia from the sport was "too harsh but Russia must do everything to rectify the situation." Zelichenok said, "I believe the IAAF council made a decision which was too severe, but it was made and now we will do everything to rectify the situation. Most important is that our sportsmen can appear at international competitions as soon as possible" (REUTERS, 11/14).
'RIGHT AND OBLIGATION': Stubbs reported in a separate piece the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) said on Saturday that it would "continue to operate even if it was found to be breaking the rules" of WADA. RUSADA said in a statement, "In the event that a decision is made about non-compliance, RUSADA has the right and obligation to continue its activities and take all necessary measures to comply with the WADA requirements and recommendations" (REUTERS, 11/14).
