“Their actions led to my losses”: Lasickene threatened the VFLA court and refused to participate in the “Russian Winter”

Athletes Maria Lasitsken, Angelika Sidorova, Sergey Shubenkov, Ilya Shkurenev, Timur Morgunov, Mikhail Akimenko, Ilya Ivanyuk and Vasily Mizinov are included in the expanded testing pool of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) for the first quarter of 2020. According to Margarita Pakhnotskaya, deputy director general of the organization, this was done at the request of the World Athletics Association.

“The World Athletics international testing pool is a priority over the RUSADA extended pool, so these athletes must provide information, first of all, following the rules established by the IAAF,” Takhnetskaya quotes TASS.

Lasickene suggested that the inclusion of RUSADA in the extended testing pool means that she can be excluded from the World Athletics pool. In turn, this will become an obstacle to getting into international competitions under the auspices of the organization.

“Doping control and being in an international pool give me at least some hope that I will someday be allowed before international starts. Now I have been included in the RUSADA extended pool. It seems to me that everything is going to ensure that I will be excluded from the international pool. It’s not just that it’s done. Although I absolutely trust RUSADA, which also thoroughly tests athletes, it’s not without reason that it’s done, ”Lasitskene suggested.

In November last year, World Athletics suspended the issuance of neutral statuses to Russian athletes in connection with the intervention of the VFLA leadership in the case of high jumper Daniil Lysenko, accused of missing doping tests. During a joint investigation by RUSADA and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), it turned out that the Russian athletics authorities covered the athlete and were involved in the transfer of fake documents about his inspections.

Lasickene associates the current situation with the actions of the VFLA leadership, which, in her opinion, not only does not protect pure athletes, but also delays the process of restoring one's own status. She expressed her willingness to leave the organization if one of the associates of ex-president Dmitry Shlyakhtin would head it, and also file a lawsuit with the appropriate authorities.

“If the court refuses to accept my application for VFLA as a public organization, I will file a lawsuit against specific people. For those who will be formally found guilty of a case with a fake certificate from Lysenko, and to the current leadership of the federation. Their actions have led and lead to my losses - moral, image and material, ”said Lasickene at a press conference.

The athlete has already passed from words to deeds. In protest, she declared her unwillingness to participate in the traditional Russian Winter tournament, held under the auspices of the VFLA. She expressed hope that other athletes who were dissatisfied with the situation would follow her example. The organization was disappointed with its decision.

The participation of Lasickene in other international starts also remains in question, although the organizers of some competitions said they were ready to wait until the last. As for the Olympic Games, here its prospects are even less rosy. At the same time, the athlete does not consider for herself the option of changing sports citizenship.

The situation around VFLA is developing against the backdrop of a trial between the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In the near future, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS) will consider the lawfulness of punishment against Russia in connection with a doping scandal. As a third party, international and domestic sports organizations have already joined the process. Private individuals have such an opportunity, however, according to Lasickiene, this will not affect the situation.

“I was also offered to join. But I refused. I understand that in our situation it is a waste of time. Even if Russian athletes can convince CAS of their innocence, this will not help athletics. We need a federation that is not afraid to act as tough and decisive as possible, ”quoted Sport24, the three-time world champion in high jump.

Lasickene is one of the few athletes who openly criticizes the leadership of the federation. In this, she is fully supported by a personal mentor Gennady Gabrilyan.

“We are working with Masha in this direction. Unfortunately, she has not only to deal with her basic duties - to improve, to jump, to work, to do, to put all her strength into training - but also to protect her status. I believe that leaders should be engaged in this, ”RIA Novosti quoted Gabrilyan as saying.

World Athletics still expects a response from Russia in the Lysenkov case. It is reported that VFLA has already twice violated the deadline, however, the acting head of the organization, Yulia Tarasenko, denied this information.

“As AIU itself previously confirmed, the VFLA sent its explanations within the time frame agreed with it. We have the corresponding document, ”explained Tarasenko.