First came the news that wrestler Jenny Fransson was tested positive for doping. Then, just a few days later, the news of case number two came: The Swedish EM gold medalist in terrain solutions, Robel Fsiha, had also got stuck in a doping test.
This caused the Sports Federation chairman Björn Eriksson to react.
"I will request more resources from the government," he told SVT Sport last week.
Now Eriksson says he will demand five million more in resources when RF meets with the government and responsible minister Amanda Lind next week.
- If the board supports its chairman, I will ask for SEK 5 million more when we meet next week. The quality of the tests today is good in the sky, but more is needed, says Björn Eriksson to SVT Sport.
"World-class doping work"He also talks about his previous work on doping issues as chairman of the Swedish Athletics Association.
- I managed to convince the sponsors that if we paid a test they would pay the next one. Of course, they are also interested in pure athletes and such work may be relevant again now.
When Minister Amanda Lind gets the chance to meet Björn Eriksson's demands, she is cautiously positive towards more resources in the chase for the cheaters.
- Sweden must have an anti-doping work of absolute world class. I have been in many conversations with the National Sports Federation and met with Swedish Anti-Doping in December, when the issue was not raised that more resources would be required to carry out enough tests. However, I will meet with the Doping Commission next week, and if it presents such a proposal I will look into it. There should be no doubt whatsoever that Swedish anti-doping is at the forefront.
Is there such money to put in?
- We must discuss that. There should be no doubt whatsoever that Swedish anti-doping and the doping commission are acting independently of the other sports movement. Of course, we should have sufficient resources to carry out a good anti-doping work.