“I am the only one not on dope”
Published: 25 August, 2009, 11:42
Edited: 30 November, 2009, 19:34
Yaroslav Rybakov and his Berlin 2009 gold medal (AFP Photo / John Macdougall)
TAGS: Sport, Scandal, Athletics, Doping
Most athletes competing at the top level are using doping, says World High Jump Champion Yaroslav Rybakov.
“It seems the international community turns a blind eye to some things in order not to allow doping scandals to lead to a collapse of track and field, and professional sports as a whole,” Rybakov said to Sovetsky Sport newspaper.
The 28-year-old is troubled by ephemeral athletes who come out of nowhere, achieve a win at a big tournament and than disappear without a trace.
“Of course some are caught on dope, but usually they are sportsmen who nobody needs. And as far as I understand, one can only achieve a serious breakthrough if he uses ultramodern stuff. It’s extremely expensive. And no sportsman can afford them without help from serious financial structures,” the Russian athlete said.
It’s hard to compete with people using forbidden medication, but doping is not a guarantee of a win as “they still can be beaten – if not physically, then psychologically”.
And when asked, who’ll stay in track and field if all doping users are banned, Rybakov answered: “Me”.
Rybakov won his first World Championship gold in Berlin last week, with a clearance of 2 meters 32 centimeters.
24.08.2009, 20:19
Russian biathletes won’t back downIt was one of the biggest scandals to hit Russian sport in a generation. Two of the country's most decorated biathletes have been banned for two years for doping - but are they guilty? |
25.08.2009, 18:03
Three Russian top skiers face doping allegationsThree-time Olympic champ Yulia Chepalova is among three Russian cross-country skiers accused of using doping, Russia’s Sport channel reports. |
