Russia protested Italy in connection with police actions at the World Biathlon Championships in Anterselva. Then, searches were conducted in the rooms of Alexander Loginov and his personal trainer Alexander Kasperovich. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, expressed hope that appropriate measures would be taken against employees who exceeded their authority, and this situation would not happen again in the future.
“The Russian side declared the unacceptability and disproportionality of such measures against Russian athletes and the negative impact of this incident on the development of sports cooperation between our countries,” Zakharova said during a weekly briefing.
According to her, the visit of the Italian police in the early morning of February 22 could not but affect the state of Russian biathletes. At the same time, law enforcement officials said that this time, on the contrary, was chosen in order to “allow the Russian athlete to take part in the sports competition, which was scheduled for late morning,” said Zakharova.
“In fact, the race took place at 14:30. Such explanations of the Italian side are absolutely untenable, ”Zakharova emphasized.
The investigation against Kasperovich and Loginov was initiated by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and, in particular, the acting anti-doping manager Sarah Fussek after it became known that the specialist was present at the tournament for the accreditation of others. The organization suggested that this could indicate that his ward was implicated in anti-doping rule violation.
During an hour and a half search, personal belongings were seized from Loginov, including a mobile phone and laptop. However, subsequently, experts found out that there was no obvious evidence against the Russian.
“Due to the fact that the preliminary investigation regarding our athletes in Italy continues, we urge the Italian authorities to strictly observe the legitimate rights and interests of Russian athletes and representatives of our team,” Zakharova added.
Now, a document confirming Loginov’s innocence is expected in the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU). After receiving it, the organization will discuss further steps.
“We had no doubt that everything was clean even before this statement. Alexander and the whole team are currently the cleanest in the world. Only a madman can use something with such tight control, when tests are carried out every day, ”RIA Novosti quotes the president of the SBR Drachev.
In Russia, the news of the protest by the Italian side was positively received. The head of the biathlon federation of St. Petersburg Dmitry Vasilyev said that the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the situation with Loginov in the future will have a positive impact on the affairs of domestic athletes and as a result, justice for them will prevail.
“The nice thing is that not only the sports community, but also the state itself, which began to protect its athletes, actively joined. I think this is a good signal for the future for all of our ill-wishers. Now it’s impossible to arrange outrage against the Russians. This is a strong moral support for the entire Russian sport, not just biathlon. There is a clear message here that Russia does not leave its own people and does not give offense, ”Vasiliev said in an interview with RT.
In addition, he called the actions of the ministry timely, as it was necessary to wait for the preliminary results of the investigation.
“Apparently, they were waiting for the moment when it will be proved that there is no evidence against Loginov. The police did their job and worked out the received signal. But there are questions about the form in which she did this, and were her powers not exceeded. This is cause for concern, ”added Vasiliev.
Searches at the location of the Russian national team led to Loginov deciding to withdraw from the mass start, citing psychological fatigue. In addition, he did not rule out the possibility of ending his career altogether due to constant harassment from both opponents and fans who did not miss the opportunity to recall his doping past.
However, Loginov will take part in the seventh stage of the World Cup in Czech Nove Mesto. At the same time, the head coach of the national team Anatoly Khovantsev said that the biathlete can miss the race in Holmenkollen. According to him, in Anterselva, the Russians were most actively booed by Norwegian fans.
“Get out of spite and prove that you didn't break? This option also has the right to life, it has its own logic. But, for example, there was an idea to withdraw in Anterselva as a whole team from the mass start in support of Sasha. Loginov asked not to do this. Now decide for him. A person has the right to a position, ”quoted Khovantsev as saying“ Match TV. ”
In turn, Vasiliev also called for calmly reacting to a possible pass by the Loginov stage of the World Cup.
“First of all, we need to ask Alexander himself what this is connected with. But I do not think that we are talking about some kind of resentment towards fans or rivals. As we know, many Norwegian athletes suffer from asthma, and there is a good saying in Russia about this - a doctor does not take offense at patients. Therefore, there is no point in this; they received their diagnosis. I think Loginov himself will understand this situation. Perhaps this is a tactical move or fatigue, ”suggested Vasiliev.