IOC Accused Of 'Cowardice' For Failing To Help Whistleblower Rodchenkov

The IOC was accused of "cowardice" for failing to help a former Russian anti-doping official turned whistleblower, according to Dan Roan of the BBC. Grigory Rodchenkov, whose revelations of state-sponsored cheating led to the country's ban from the 2018 Winter Olympics, fled to the U.S. two years ago and "remains in hiding." His lawyer, Jim Walden, accused Russia of "stepping up its retaliation" by secretly lobbying for his extradition. Walden said, "If they succeeded, Dr. Rodchenkov would face death and torture at their hands." Walden added that the IOC had "refused to lift a finger to help him," and suggested threats to his client's safety "may force him to stop providing evidence to the authorities." The IOC said that it "categorically denies" Walden's claim that it refused to help, stressing it sought special protection for Rodchenkov as a whistleblower -- though pointed out "it is not in its powers to protect witnesses" (BBC, 12/27).