Former World Anti-Doping Agency President Dick Pound said that if Russia "could build Sochi in seven years to host the 2014 Winter Games, they could fix their doping problems in nine months and compete at the Rio Olympics," according to Steve Keating of REUTERS. The IAAF banned Russia from the sport last week after a "stunning report" by a WADA independent commission. Despite "damning evidence and calls to have Russian athletes barred from the track and field competition in Rio," Pound "made it clear there was a road back to the 2016 Summer Games for Russia if officials there made the necessary changes." After spending $51B and "moving mountains to transform Sochi into a glittering Olympic venue" for the 2014 Winter Games, Pound felt that "tearing down and rebuilding the country's corrupt anti-doping program should be a straightforward task" (REUTERS, 11/18). In London, Sean Ingle reported US Biathlon CEO Max Cobb said that last week’s independent commission report had "also raised issues with testing in Sochi." He said, "The way I read the report, the testing that took place in Sochi is, at least suspect, and perhaps completely worthless. That raises huge questions." Another Winter Olympian reportedly had sent a letter to a WADA representative "asking for the issues in Russia raised by Pound’s report to be extended to all sports." Meanwhile Pound "urged the country to take action." Pound: "All you need is some direction from the political authorities and say, 'Look, Rusada [the Russian Anti-Doping Agency] is independent and the lab is independent and anybody who doesn’t make that happen is in trouble.' The same with coaches, you say, 'Folks, the old Soviet system is over, we're not going to do that anymore and if that is your method of coaching don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out'" (GUARDIAN, 11/18).
WHISTLEBLOWERS FACE BACKLASH: In London, Roland Oliphant reported Russian athletes banned from int'l competitions following an investigation into "state sponsored" doping in the country "have vowed to sue the whistleblowers" who first revealed the program. Kristina Ugarova, a runner who is facing a lifetime ban over the scandal, said she and several other athletes "intended to launch a lawsuit against Yulia and Vitaly Stepanov," who first made allegations about the extent of organized doping in Russia on German TV last year. Ugarova said, "We will file a class action lawsuit, all of the accused -- at least the athletes. We will take these Stepanovs to court. First a regional court, then at a more serious level. The lawsuit will be filed for defamation and libel. There will also be a suit against ARD." She added that Russian athletes "have also begun the legal process of forming a trade union to protect their rights" (TELEGRAPH, 11/18).
