Deprivation of gold OI and cancellation of results: IBU found Sleptsova and Ustyugov guilty of doping

Famous in the past Russian biathletes Svetlana Sleptsova and Evgeny Usyugov were found guilty of doping. This decision was made at a meeting of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) on the basis of data from the Moscow anti-doping laboratory dated 2013. According to this information, the drugs Ostarin and Oxandrolone, respectively, were found in athletes' bodies, which increase endurance and increase muscle mass. Athletes received a two-year suspension, which began on February 11, 2020.

Recall that both have already completed professional careers, however, the most painful not only for them, but for all Russian sports will be the annulment of all results at international competitions (for Sleptsova - from March 2013 to the end of the 2013/14 season, for Ustyugov - from August 2013 to the end of the season-2013/14). Thus, Eugene may lose the gold medal of the home Olympic Games in Sochi in the men's relay.

In accordance with the regulations, in this case, along with him, the status of Olympic champions will be deprived of the rest of the race participants - Anton Shipulin, Dmitry Malyshko and Alexey Volkov. Ustyugov’s potential removal threatens Russia with losing the first line in the team event, which she held, having in its assets 11 awards of highest dignity. In this case, the Norwegian team will take its place.

In addition, both biathletes will be forced to return the prize money received during this period.

Sleptsova and Ustyugov completely deny their guilt. According to the president of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) Vladimir Drachev, both intend to challenge the IBU verdict at the Sports Arbitration Court in Lausanne (CAS). The relevant application must be submitted within 21 days.

“We received official documents on these cases, about 80 sheets. These are very voluminous materials. Now we are figuring out what became the basis for such a verdict, ”TASS quoted the head of the RRF as saying.

In August 2018, Sleptsova and Ustyugov were already charged with doping by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Then in biopassports of several athletes at once - including less eminent Alexander Pechenkin and Alexander Chernyshov - deviations were found.

The investigation covered the period from 2010 to 2014, in connection with which the Russians could also lose the gold of the Olympics in Vancouver. Unlike colleagues in the national team, Sleptsova and Ustyugov managed to defend their innocence, and their affairs were closed.

However, on February 13, an independent body of the Biathlon Integrity Unit (BIU) announced that charges were again brought against Ustyugov.

“In light of the announcement by the media of preliminary measures filed by Russian biathlete Yevgeny Ustyugov and to avoid useless speculation, the IBU confirms that it has charged him with an alleged violation of anti-doping rules,” the organization said in a statement.

Information on the resumption of the case was confirmed by the head of the IBU, Olle Dalin.

“We must learn from the mistakes of the past, and if this story took place, then we need to shed light on it, even if it was already a very long time ago. But now the SBR is doing a good job, it is very pleasing, ”Dalin said on Match TV.

Then it became known that the two-time Olympic champion filed a lawsuit in an Austrian court. Drachev noted that for the first time in the history of biathlon, an athlete in this situation did not apply to the CAS, but intends to assert his rights at the civil level.

"Mayhem is lawlessness"

Ustyugov himself has already commented on the IBU decision. He admitted that he was not surprised by this step of the organization.

“Mayhem is lawlessness. Naturally, there are no arguments; there were no witnesses during the panel meeting. My friends told me that the Germans are behind this. I don’t know, everything can be, but I don’t care. I’ll go to the end, I’ve already gone to an Austrian court and I’ll go to any other. Time will tell who is right. I will demand only a public review with the participation of journalists, ”said Ustyugov.

At the same time, the former coach of Sleptsova Valery Zakharov noted that the IBU verdict was an unpleasant surprise for him.

“Of course, this news about Sveta Sleptsova is unexpected for me, there is nothing good about it. But I am not aware of this matter, ”Zakharov said.

SBR Vice President Sergei Chepikov emphasized that both athletes should appeal the verdict to the CAS, while turning to experienced lawyers. In his opinion, it is wrong to initiate such cases six years after the alleged violation.

“Can you imagine what a blow this is for an athlete? Need a temporary qualification, and then doping can be found in 20 years. It is unclear who stored the samples and where. Suddenly someone had access, they could be replaced. All these actions are incomprehensible. We need to change the rules of the game so that this does not happen again, ”Chepikov said.

A similar position is held by the Honorary President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Leonid Tyagachev. He expressed confidence that Ustyugov honestly earned Sochi 2014 gold.

“They are building a substitute after so many years, this is biased, I do not agree with this decision. You can raise the Olympic Games when China was not strong, but won. This can also be attributed to the fact that everyone needs to be checked, and to say that this is unfair, ”Tyagachev commented on the IBU decision.

In turn, RUSADA CEO Yuri Ganus. Ganus suggested that a similar situation could be expected in the future. Moreover, in his opinion, there is no intentional escalation of the situation around the Russians.

“I can only express regret, but I need to work further. This should not be allowed in the future! It is necessary to change the general culture of doping. And to fight everything with this, so as not to be surprised later, ”summed up the head of RUSADA.