The International Rowing Federation, FISA has banned all officials of the Russian Rowing Federation from participating in any of its activities for one year due to anti-doping rule violations. President of Russia's Rowing Federation Aleksandr Popov could

Popov admits his team was guilty of breaking the rules at the World Cup last year, but claims it was a one off.

Suspicions were first aroused in July last year, when intravenous infusion material was found in a rubbish bin outside the Russian team's hotel right after the final of the Rowing World Cup in Switzerland.

DNA analysis identified blood traces of eight Russian rowers, who were later disqualified from international competitions.

Speaking to RT, the President of the Russian Rowing Federation, Aleksandr Popov said they “admit to violating the anti-doping regulations, but these violations have nothing to do with doping or enhancing the rower’s athletic abilities.”

“I want to stress that this violation occurred on a single occasion and it’s not systematic in preparing our team for competitions,” he said.

However, he said, “FISA, does not accept our arguments”.

“For some reason, the cases of these eight athletes have been investigated separately over the course of one year, making it seem that the Russian team is constantly violating the anti-doping regulations,” Popov said.

On the January 26, the FISA Executive Committee banned all officials, medical personnel and coaches of the Russian Rowing Federation from taking part in any FISA events for 12 months.

The eight athletes in question have been disqualified for two years.

However, these bans could be retracted if a certain deal is reached with the international federation.

“We received a letter from FISA where they are offering us an opportunity to hold an early election of the governing body of the Russian Rowing Federation before March 31. Provided that such an election is held in accordance with free, fair and democratic principles and no existing members take part in it, then the executive committee will look into enforcing Article 63, which gives it the right to retract its previous decision,” Popov said.  

In addition, the international federation will send its observers to determine if the election is free and fair.