According to the head of Russian diplomacy, the introduction of the “Rodchenkov Act” will be a disgrace for all sports.
As reported by TASS, in an interview with the Match TV channel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Western countries are “promoting” the role of Russia in the context of doping by athletes.
“I know for sure that, in addition to the obvious violations by Russian athletes, there is also a directive among Western sportsmen to emphasize our role in promoting doping in every possible way and to gloss over what is happening in the West”, – he said.
“I’m not even talking about such an example that has set everyone sore on edge, like “asthmatics” Norwegians, other Scandinavians. But speaking about the image of our sport, I do not think that it has faded somewhere. Russia is still a great sports power. I have no doubt about that. We are appreciated and respected”.
Lavrov recalled the existence of such a thing as sports diplomacy.
“We are interested in protecting our interests together with the corresponding sports federations, with the Russian Olympic Committee, so that we are not discriminated against, and at the same time promoting a positive, objective perception of our sport”, – the minister added.
In addition, Lavrov is convinced that the introduction of the so-called “Rodchenkov Act” will be a disgrace for the entire world of sports.
“The head of the US Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tigart, has already attacked WADA with harsh accusations that it shields the Russians and needs to be reformed itself. At the same time, he threatened that on the basis of the notorious “Rodchenkov Act” in the United States, a system is being created that will work and push WADA to the sidelines of world sports discussions about the fight against doping. If this system is really implemented, it will be a disgrace for the whole sport”, – he said.
According to the minister, WADA is introducing clearly discriminatory measures against Russians, although it is still criticized for being insufficiently “anti-Russian”.
“Despite the fact that WADA is imperfect, and 90% of the members of the executive committee represent NATO countries or the closest allies of the alliance”, – Lavrov said.
He also expressed confidence that it is possible to ensure a professional, politically and geographically balanced composition in the agency.
“This composition will be acceptable to everyone. Nevertheless, the current leadership of WADA is striving to correct this kind of imbalance. We must defend WADA in the face of such an attempt to privatize this area of international relations. The Americans just want to privatize it”, – the Russian Foreign Minister concluded.