‘It’s just a method to neutralize strong competitors from Russia’ – Putin on WADA ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the recent decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to impose a four-year ban on the country, stressing that it’s just a way to neutralize the strong competitors from Russia. .
Talking at the annual year-end press conference with media, Putin said the WADA restrictions contradict the Olympic charter and create obstacles to the development of sports by not allowing athletes from Russia to take part in international sporting events
“We have young girls in women’s figure skating, they are still kids.” Putin said, referring to the Russian figure skaters who have been dominating the sport.
“Do they have any connection to doping? Absolutely not! They are landing quadruple jumps, something that practically no other skaters are able do in women’s skating. So, now it’s possible to disqualify them, to get them off the ice. Do you think it will help to develop the sport? I don’t think so.”
Also on rt.com WADA's Russia ban contradicts Olympics charter, Russia has every reason to appeal – PutinPutin also said that WADA’s decision is “unfair” and that athletes cannot be punished twice for the same violation.
“I think that this is unfair. WADA’s decision contradicts common sense and international law. A similar decision regarding Russia’s participation under a neutral flag was made at the previous Olympic Games, now they want to punish Russia again for the same violation. No existing legal system allows that,” Putin said.
Also on rt.com US athletes plan protests against Russian participants at 2020 Tokyo Games“A team should not perform under a neutral flag if there are no accusations addressed to the national Olympic Committee. This is written in the Olympic charter. If WADA has no problems with the Russian Olympic Committee, this means that the Russian national team should compete under the national flag.”
