“If the sports world cannot put an end to it, the court will do it”: Kolobkov on WADA decision and further actions of Russia

- In accordance with the decision of WADA , to participate in competitions, Russian athletes must prove their innocence in manipulating data from the Moscow laboratory. How would this happen? Can this process be compared with what happened before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang?

- I would not do this, because then the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) lost its rights. As for our anti-doping work, all the conditions of the road map have been met. Moreover, in September, we received thanks from UNESCO, and the WADA commission twice conducted its monitoring at the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA). And their work is recognized as successful. Therefore, we have no questions. Everything functions the same as before. Perhaps there will be requests for additional testing, although our athletes do this almost more often than the rest.

- Can the current decision be called political, or was there still a problem in Russian sport that was revealed only now?

- Yes, we had problems, which, among other things, led to the reorganization of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA). Do not hide this fact. We have reformed the entire anti-doping system; the Moscow laboratory is now subordinated not to the Ministry of Sports, but to Moscow State University. By the way, this process took place jointly with WADA. An incredible job has been done. We carry out our functions. In terms of legislation, we are the benchmark for many countries.

- RUSADA Director General Yuri Ganus said that it is necessary to completely change the entire leadership of Russian sports. What would you answer him?

- As I said, RUSADA has all the powers to conduct its own investigations. Now, Ganus is faced with the task of examining all the information and providing it to the supervisory board. Therefore, let him deal with his duties, I do not want to answer him. We learn from the press what is wrong about his actions. Instead, he likes to give advice. So, recently he called for the resignation of the leadership of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA). On what basis? We are ready to meet him, more than once called him to our place, but he did not always accept our invitations.

- So, not officials, but athletes and coaches should answer?

“I'm not going to make excuses to anyone.” I did everything right, I understand my level of responsibility, you know my attitude to doping. We performed the database transfer, although it was difficult from a technical point of view. Huge work was done and it received a well-deserved praise from WADA.

- The Russian side has done everything that depended on it?

- Yes, we did everything possible so that the situation was resolved for the benefit of the federations and athletes. The critical requirements of WADA within the framework of the roadmap have been met.

- If it comes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne ( CAS ), what arguments will the Russian side have?

- I would like to note that this whole topic has long dragged on, several generations of athletes have been replaced. We are not saying that WADA claims are unfounded. But we have sufficient reasoning. It is both technical and procedural in nature. Now the RUSADA Supervisory Board must decide on the prospects for this matter. I have information that they are good. It is also optimistic that the CAS case is not considered on the basis of the findings of the compliance committee. By the way, we suggested that WADA conduct a joint investigation. But no one went for it. The situation requires constant interaction. Now you have to resort to another procedure.

“How long will the trial take?”

- It is difficult to say, since the current situation cannot be compared with previous experience. Here we have to analyze a huge amount of information, I am sure new experts will appear on both sides. But we are ready to work.

- Do you have any information about who made changes to the database of the Moscow laboratory?

- All conclusions were made on the basis of a comparative analysis with the LIMS system, which for some reason was recognized as a reference. Although it was not sealed by the investigative committee, changes and corrections were constantly made to it, since, in fact, it was created on the knee. At the same time, Rodchenkov’s database was exported illegally. WADA acknowledged that raw files from devices were more reliable, but they were not included in the case.

- Why, in your opinion, the perpetrators were not found, and should the Russian athletes be punished?

- Yes, such decisions apply the principle of collective responsibility, with which we do not agree. Let's wait for the decision of the RUSADA Supervisory Board. After that, the case will be transferred to the legal plane. The point will be set at CAS if the sports world itself cannot do this.

- Do you have any concerns about the ban on holding the World Championships and European Championships?

- No, a number of sanctions that are prescribed in this decision, in my opinion and in the opinion of lawyers, contradict the IOC charter.

- And as for competitions such as the Moscow stage of the Grand Prix in figure skating?

- I do not think that the ban will affect him. He and other similar tournaments will continue, since the WADA decision does not apply to them. It’s not at all a fact that the sanctions will take effect. Russia is an attractive country for international federations in terms of such events. We always fulfill all our obligations. I think they themselves will be against such a decision. Bilateral agreements have been signed for all competitions. For a number of them, contributions have already been paid, preparations for them have begun.

- One gets the impression that the WADA code is placed above the Olympic Charter.

- For us, the IOC Charter remains the main document on the basis of which the charters of the federation, legal issues and much more were developed. This is a sports bible. Now the WADA code is becoming more important. But we must return the sport to sports organizations. Rodchenkov’s law violates the principle of their independence. That is why there are suggestions that politics is involved.