US prepares next stage of campaign to isolate Russia from world sport – SVR statement

The United States is planning the next stage of a “long-term and unsuccessful campaign” aimed at “isolating” Russia in the world sports movement, with the emphasis on sports in which Russia is traditionally strong – rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming and figure skating, the press office of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation reports.

— This time, a series of “high-level investigative publications” are being prepared on doping abuses that have allegedly been revealed in Russian elite sports. The focus is on disciplines in which our country is a world-renowned leader.

The project is being overseen by former Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory leaders, defectors Grigory Rodchenkov and Timofey Sobolevsky. They are believed to have maintained “stable ties” with coaches and doctors involved in training Russian athletes.

The most powerful “strike” is being prepared in the “most Russian” disciplines: rhythmic gymnastics, synchronized swimming and figure skating. It is planned to pour buckets of monstrous filth and fantastic lies on famous sports schools, outstanding coaches and athletes. According to the Americans, the defamatory materials will have to convince fans all over the world that the power and beauty of Russian “artists”, synchronized swimmers and figure skaters are only the result of the use of miracle drugs, deception, illusion.

“One can only be surprised by the arrogance, pettiness and short-sightedness of the West: after all, their frankly unsportsmanlike behavior is causing growing rejection among the world majority. As for Russian athletes and coaches, they have been, are and will be the object of wide admiration from fans who want to see sport outside of politics,” the press release says.

In November 2015, Grigory Rodchenkov left his post as head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, fled to the United States and became an informant for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Richard McLaren’s independent commission, based on Rodchenkov’s testimony, prepared a report on doping in Russian sports.

In December 2019, WADA found the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to be in non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. Russian athletes were banned from participating in major international competitions under the country’s flag and other national symbols for four years. An appeal was filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which effectively reduced the sentence to two years in December 2020. The sanctions expired at the end of 2020. In March 2024, WADA announced that RUSADA was still not in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in December 2023 that it would grant Russian athletes who successfully qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris individual neutral status without national symbols.

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