Double Olympic champion in biathlon Svetlana Ichmuratova believes that Norwegians should think about changing the law so that doping tests of young Norwegian athletes continue to be carried out according to the WADA code.
Previously, Norwegian sports officials had expressed concern over global sanctions against their athletes and federations due to the legal hurdle preventing young athletes from being tested according to WADA’s code. Nils Einar Martin Os, general secretary of the Norwegian Sports Confederation (NIF), explained that WADA’s sanctions could include both fines and disqualification from hosting major international competitions. And in the future – a ban on participation in major tournaments.
– The fact that young athletes are tested for doping, on the contrary, is only to their advantage. All this indicates the protection of athletes, as well as the right direction in the development of a particular sport. Maybe all this is still not quite clear there, and there are still some references that indicate that the tests can be carried out in the presence of parents or representatives of children? Just as, for example, in our country, one cannot ask questions of a child without the consent and presence of his representatives. Maybe something is not quite clear yet? In general, I think that after the Norwegians’ criticism of us, that supposedly in Russia everyone is doping, of course, this is somewhat surprising. Otherwise, you see a speck in other people’s eyes, but you don’t notice a log in yours. But it’s good that they paid attention to all these points. It’s just. Everyone should be on an equal footing. Because we are all part of the same IOC organization.
If there is an obstacle in their legislation concerning doping tests of young athletes, it means that it must be reviewed and amended, and then there will be no problem. Then there will be problems in the sports federation. In general, there will be fewer asthmatics in biathlon – more healthy people will take part in the sport. It’s all for profit. I repeat, I believe that doping tests for young athletes are a guarantee of protecting their health,” Ishmuratova said in a conversation with .
Source : MatchTV
