LUC WELCOMES KEY FINDINGS OF RICHARD MCLAREN’S SECOND REPORT FOR THE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA)
December 14, 2016
(Toronto – Canada) – The National Executive of the League of Ukrainian Canadians welcomes the findings of the second report prepared by Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren for WADA. In his report published on December 9, 2016 Mr. McLaren provided plenty of evidence of a sophisticated doping scheme sponsored and orchestrated by Russia’s Sports Ministry, its national anti-doping agency, the Center of Sports Preparation of National Teams of Russia, the Moscow Laboratory and the FSB intelligence service. Over 1000 Russian athletes across more than 30 summer, winter and Paralympic sports have been identified as those who benefitted from this covert operation.
According to the report, the systematic and organized “cover up and manipulation of the doping control process evolved and was refined over the course of its use in London 2012 Summer Games, Universiade Games 2013, Moscow IAAF World Championships 2013, and the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.” The scheme included switching and changing samples by opening “tamper-proof” bottles, as well as numerous other methods to bypass and cover up drug tests, which gave Russian athletes an unfair advantage over their counterparts from other countries.
It is a historic fact that authoritative regimes place a big importance on the success of their athletes on the international arena. Russia under Vladimir Putin’s rule is no exception. However, this culture of organized cheating on the highest level is unacceptable in sports as it undermines the trust in the system of fair athletes, their coaches, national federations and millions of spectators around the world. Olympic Games, and other sports competitions, are designed to be a level playing field for athletes from across the world. To support a doping scheme on the highest government level is a demonstration of utmost disrespect toward world athletes, their coaches and teams from around the globe.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), national Olympic Committees and Ministers of Sport from across the world must condemn Russia’s government-backed doping scheme. By applying a zero-tolerance policy, the international sports community will stand in solidarity against doping schemes. This investigation should serve as a wake-up call to the international sports community and remind athletes of the true spirit and goal of the Olympic movement. The Russian doping scandal is a reminder of the importance of adherence to the fundamental values of fair play, which should not be violated or taken lightly under any circumstances.
To access the full report prepared by Richard McLaren, please click here.
