“Flag and anthem are sacred things for an athlete”: Gazzaev on the possible removal of Russia, the WADA investigation and the words of Tigert

- Russia may face a complete ban on performing under its own flag for four years. In your opinion, how much will it hit Russian sport?

- Do not run ahead of the engine. It is necessary to wait until the day when the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) makes a decision. Only it will have legal force. Today, one should not assume how domestic athletes will perform - with or without a flag and anthem.

- How do you feel about this whole situation with a possible suspension?

- I think that it is unacceptable for a sports nation like Russia when similar punishments are imposed on it by the WADA and the International Olympic Committee. Our country is the main contender for awards at major world forums such as the Olympic Games, World and European Championships.

- How can a person choose between the right to compete and represent his country?

Flag and anthem are holy things for any athlete. Depriving these attributes has become a real humiliation for Russia. Our country experienced this during the Olympics in Pyeongchang. Moreover, such measures do not lead to anything good.

- Therefore, you are categorically against the removal of the whole country?

- Of course. Collective punishment is not an option. IOC and WADA need to make the right decisions. If doping is found in the athlete's body, it must be disqualified. And this applies not only to Russians, but also to other athletes, whether they are Americans or Norwegians. I never heard that a whole country or a national team was suspended.

- There are no fears that a possible removal may cause a split in the Russian sports community and many athletes will gang up against national federations and OCD?

- Partly agree. It is the athletes who are the victims of this situation. The Russian Olympic Committee, national federations and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency need to be responsible for them. For four years, athletes have been working hard to perform for their home country. They are doing everything possible so that their flag rises above the stadium and a hymn is sounded. I myself felt a sense of pride in my state, work, and professional activity.

- Which WADA decision would be fair?

Punishment should be applied exclusively to anti-doping rule violators. The Russian team should in no case be deprived of the flag and anthem, and pure athletes should not be able to represent their country at international competitions.

- The Russian side has denied the allegations of the WADA compliance committee. Could this aggravate the situation?

- WADA was supposed to reach a verdict on November 7, but for inexplicable reasons, the solution to this issue was delayed for more than a month. I have information that at that time there was no evidence. I believe that certain external factors influenced this.

- What do you have in mind?

- It was said at any cost to find any clues and take similar measures against Russia.

- In your opinion, Russia has done everything necessary to prove its non-involvement in fraud?

- Since 2015, the country has been doing everything necessary to get out of this situation. A law was passed on criminal liability for inducing the use of prohibited drugs. On behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a commission was created that regularly interacts with both the IOC and WADA. € 1.7 billion was allocated from the state budget for the restoration of RUSADA. The process has begun, many have calmed down. And then suddenly they asked for samples five years ago, contained in the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory.

- Do you think this is unfair?

- Why do the United States or Norway not apply to such requirements? All national teams should be treated equally. No bias and double standards. See what the president of the American Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) Travis Tigert says. He says that it is necessary to completely limit the performance of Russian athletes at the Olympic Games. This is direct pressure on the WADA Executive Committee.

- Who will benefit from the long-term disqualification of Russian sports in the first place?

- Undoubtedly, there is a question of competition, because the Russian team regularly claims to high places. But I believe that such competitions will become less prestigious. In the absence of domestic athletes, awards will be given to nominally less weak opponents. Who cares?