In Russia, they defended the well-known trainer Sergei Klyugin, whose wards, high jumpers Ivan Ukhov and Svetlana Shkolina, were disqualified for violating anti-doping rules. The All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) considered this a substantial basis for considering the issue of depriving a specialist of a license.
Well-known commentator Olga Bogoslovskaya said that it would be unfair if the eminent specialist will be punished for his subordinates. In her opinion, the VFLA took such a principled position in connection with the fact that the new leadership needs to normalize the situation in Russian athletics as soon as possible in order to restore its international status.
“In principle, everything that happens in this sport is unfair. This can only be regarded as complete nonsense. They have paid attention many times to the fact that there is a whole list of American athletes who were disqualified, but no sanctions were imposed on them. And here the decision is based on some far-fetched reports and testimonies. Sergey is an Olympic champion himself and an excellent trainer in such a difficult sport, in which you will not achieve results in pure pharmacology. Therefore, first you still need to prove that his students took illegal drugs that he gave, ”Bogoslovskaya said in an interview with RT.
The former sprinter noted that depriving Klyugin of a coaching license could set athletes up against athletics. According to her, the position of the VFLA will not improve until clear agreements are reached with the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics) on overcoming the crisis, therefore, indicative punishments of those who are mediocre to doping scandals do not make sense.
“The problem is that now it’s not at all clear who is opposing whom. In this war there are no friends or strangers - everything thunders and explodes. Therefore, everyone does everything possible to survive and protect their interests, because it is no longer possible to defend the collective. There’s simply nowhere worse. Why aggravate internal relations? If the algorithm for overcoming the current situation were clear, then there would be more confidence. And so any action is perceived as agony, ”the Theological is sure.
The 2004 Olympic champion in long jump Tatyana Lebedeva holds a similar position. She noted that the VFLA was trying to take a tough stance in the fight against doping, but she should not have started with the story of Klyugin, whose fault was not proven.
“A few months ago, the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation issued a decree, according to which each organization should analyze the number of disqualified athletes and coaches and take appropriate measures. But specific measures were not indicated. It seems to me that the VFLA started a little wrong. Now they face other tasks. Find the same $ 5 million to solve the issue with neutral athletes, ”Lebedeva emphasized.
The decision regarding Klyugin, his wife Victoria and three other coaches was made at a meeting of the Presidium of the VFLA. Mentors who have collaborated with more than one athlete suspended over the past two years for violating anti-doping rules may be denied a license.
VFLA Vice President Eduard Bezuglov emphasized that the management acted in accordance with the organization’s regulations. At the same time, he noted that the final decision will be made after all cases have been considered.
“The Bureau of the VFLA Presidium sent letters to the trainers asking for clarifications that would help to give a comprehensive assessment of the nuances of their affairs. Sergey Klyugin answered him, and all the points mentioned in his letter will be taken into account. So now there’s nothing to say, work is ongoing according to the current situation, ”TASS quotes Bezuglov as saying.
At the same time, Klyugin himself called the possible deprivation of the license illegal. In addition, he noted that the affairs of Ukhov and Shkolina have not yet set an end.
“Ivan Ukhov and Svetlana Shkolina were tested for doping dozens of times, they did not reveal a single violation for all this time. They were disqualified only on the basis of the testimony of Grigory Rodchenkov, on whom a criminal case was instituted in Russia. I also want to remind you that my charges filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS), and their cases have not yet been resolved, ”Klyugin said.
The trainer also confirmed Bezuglov’s words that he had already sent explanatory letters. In addition, he emphasized that he intends to appeal to a civil court if the decision is not made in his favor.
According to Bogoslovskaya, a specialist needs to assert his rights.
“Initially, World Athletics provided such unsteady arguments that with normal legal support they could easily be broken. Another thing is that the sports and legal system is woven from flaws. But even in Klyugin’s situation, it is necessary to assert one’s rights from beginning to end, ”concluded Bogoslovskaya.
Lebedeva also expressed confidence that on the side of Klyugin and other specialists there will be a labor code, since the organization does not have the right to deprive them of their work.
“But the problem also lies in the fact that the leadership of the federation is not even trying to establish a constructive dialogue with the coaches. Letters were sent to them, they have the opportunity to put forward their abstracts also in writing, but no more. Klyugin is an Olympic champion, and this should be done at least as a sign of respect, ”added Lebedeva.
In 2019, CAS deprived Ukhov of the gold of the 2012 Olympics, silver of the 2014 World Indoor Championships and bronze of the 2014 European Championships. The athlete was charged with violating anti-doping rules and was disqualified for four years. A similar verdict was issued in the case of Shkolina. She was deprived of the bronze of the Games in London and the gold of the 2013 World Cup. Both athletes appealed, but the process has not yet been completed.