‘State-sponsored’ doping: Russia optimistic despite athletics’ ban
Country’s 2016 Olympic participation in jeopardy after IAAF suspension
PHOTO: AFP
MOSCOW:
Russia’s suspension from international athletics will be resolved in two to three months, said Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko on Saturday as officials moved to play down the ban.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) voted overwhelmingly on Friday to suspend Russia from the sport for widespread and ‘state-sponsored’ doping, a decision which could cost the country its place at the 2016 Olympics.
“It is a predictable and understandable decision,” Mutko told R-Sport news agency. “We need to understand what they want and where they see threats. We will develop a joint road map and try to do it quickly. I think we can do all the work in two to three months.”
Resignations crop up in world athletics
Russia are one of the main superpowers in world athletics and finished second behind the US in the track and field medal count at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Now Russia will be stripped of hosting the world race walking and world junior championships next year and will have to work fast to make the Rio Olympic Games in August 2016.
Under pressure: Russia faces possible ban from athletics
But Mutko dismissed the possible consequences of the IAAF’s decision. “What will happen? Yes, nothing will happen. Athletics will develop, the guys will train. Well, they will miss maybe one tournament,” R-Sport quoted him as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2015.
Russia’s suspension from international athletics will be resolved in two to three months, said Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko on Saturday as officials moved to play down the ban.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) voted overwhelmingly on Friday to suspend Russia from the sport for widespread and ‘state-sponsored’ doping, a decision which could cost the country its place at the 2016 Olympics.
“It is a predictable and understandable decision,” Mutko told R-Sport news agency. “We need to understand what they want and where they see threats. We will develop a joint road map and try to do it quickly. I think we can do all the work in two to three months.”
Resignations crop up in world athletics
Russia are one of the main superpowers in world athletics and finished second behind the US in the track and field medal count at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Now Russia will be stripped of hosting the world race walking and world junior championships next year and will have to work fast to make the Rio Olympic Games in August 2016.
Under pressure: Russia faces possible ban from athletics
But Mutko dismissed the possible consequences of the IAAF’s decision. “What will happen? Yes, nothing will happen. Athletics will develop, the guys will train. Well, they will miss maybe one tournament,” R-Sport quoted him as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2015.