The Ministry of Sports commented on the statements by the head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Yuri Ganus about the substitution of doping samples in the Moscow anti-doping laboratory.

“For such serious accusations, good reasons are needed. By putting them forward, athletes can be drawn into proceedings in cases in which there is no obvious evidence of guilt, ”quoted TASS Minister of Sports Pavel Kolobkov.

He also stressed that the Russian side is working closely with WADA, IOC and international sports federations.

Also, statements by Ganus were commented on by the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.

“Our sports authorities have just sent detailed answers to WADA questions. Each question has been given a separate answer, so let's wait for a reaction to these our answers. At the moment, I don’t think it is possible to comment on anything, ”Peskov said.

“We are not connected to the database in any way”

On September 23, WADA reported that there were inconsistencies between the original database of the Moscow laboratory and its copy, transmitted to the World Agency in 2017. On this fact, an investigation was initiated, as a result of which RUSADA may again be deprived of its status, and domestic athletes - the right to represent their country at international competitions.

RUSADA Director General said that part of the data from the Moscow laboratory was deleted.

“If you change the database, then it should be not just athletes, but people who they want to hide even at the cost of the fate of future athletes. How can I know who they are? We are in no way associated with the database. Ask Pavel Kolobkov about the perpetrators, ”said Ganus“ Sport day after day. ”

According to him, the changes to the database were made not several years ago, but several months before the transfer of information to WADA.

“When I saw the WADA documents, I was just in shock. There is an expert opinion, which says: "The changes in the database were carried out intentionally." And not once there a long time ago, but at the end of 2018 and even at the beginning of 2019. That is, immediately before the data transfer, ”the official said.

At the same time, the functionary admitted that he did not know who and for whom could take such measures.

“This process is in the jurisdiction of WADA”

It is noteworthy that earlier Ganus had already allowed himself harsh remarks regarding the leaders of Russian sports. So, in an interview with the French L'Equipe, he opposed the head of the All-Russian Athletics Federation Dmitry Shlyakhtin and Minister of Sports Pavel Kolobkov, and also stated that a number of athletes from Chuvashia underwent blood transfusions under the direction of the region. Subsequently, several athletes filed lawsuits against the functionary, and he said that he was "systematically and unfairly discredited."

According to Ganus, if RUSADA is deprived of compliance status, domestic athletes will almost certainly lose the opportunity to represent their country at the Tokyo Summer Olympics and will be able to perform exclusively under neutral status. At the same time, some experts are confident that the sanctions will be tougher and will result in the removal of the largest four-year competitions from two consecutive.

A decision on this issue will be made in the near future. In the period from October 23 to 24, WADA will receive recommendations on this issue, and from November 6 to 7, an executive committee of the organization will be held at which RUSADA compliance status will be considered. But Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said he fully trusts WADA in this situation.

“This process is under the jurisdiction of WADA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in accordance with the rules that have been in force since the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. We fully trust WADA in this matter. I don’t know the details, it’s not in our hands, ”said Bach TASS.