"He exceeded his official powers": Isinbayeva on the recommendation of the supervisory board to dismiss Ganus and on the results of the audit at RUSADA

"I really hope that it will not come to the intervention of law enforcement agencies"

- How can you comment on the decision of the supervisory board of RUSADA to recommend the dismissal of Yuri Ganus.

- It should start with the fact that in 2017, Yuri Alexandrovich was approved as head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency almost unanimously. Great hopes were pinned on him. The key phrase of Ganus was that he was a fan of Russian sport and wanted to help restore it, to restore trust in RUSADA. He was indeed one of the brightest candidates for the CEO post.

For some time, Yuri Alexandrovich worked well, but then some changes happened to him. At meetings of the supervisory board, he could speak incorrectly, be rude. Behaved unethically.

- This was provoked by the audit, which revealed serious violations in the agency's management?

- This has happened before. Each meeting of the supervisory board turned out to be quite difficult. On the one hand, this is good, we always emotionally discuss issues, defend our points of view. At first, Yuri Alexandrovich treated everyone with respect, but then he began to admit a hat. According to him, it turned out that only he cares for Russian sport. Ganus allowed similar statements in conversations with journalists. Moreover, he could directly, without the approval of the supervisory board, communicate with the press.

- What exactly did the audit in RUSADA reveal?

- Serious financial irregularities. This could not fail to be ignored. The supervisory board has questions for Ganus. This topic was discussed for a long time at the meeting on Wednesday, and Yuri Alexandrovich gave explanations on each item. However, he could not explain some of them. As a result, the activities of Ganus began to raise doubts, because it turns out that the person did not say something, exceeded his official powers.

- ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov accused Ganus of trying to approve the auditor and the reporting retroactively.

- Such a phrase appeared in the documents, although I cannot say for sure.

- Is it possible that law enforcement agencies will deal with violations by the management of RUSADA?

- Yuri Alexandrovich expressed a desire to meet with the auditor after the checks are completed. He wants to provide documents on all charges. We at the supervisory board took this desire positively, since a person should have a chance to explain himself. You should always listen to both sides. If suddenly there is no explanation ... Yesterday at the meeting a phrase was heard that the supervisory board had adopted very tough recommendations. But to this, the chairman, Alexander Ivlev, said that the accusations would have been harsh if they had been given by the Investigative Committee.

So far, we are only trying to understand the current situation. I really hope that it will not come to the intervention of law enforcement agencies, and Ganus will be able to explain everything. But his credibility is undermined. After all, now serious attention is riveted to RUSADA, and the agency's reputation is above all. A lot of work has been done, including by the current CEO. But at the meeting, a phrase was voiced: an anti-doping organization should not keep on the image of one person, and it does not matter who will lead it.

- If Ganus is able to answer all the points of the accusation, can the supervisory board recommend to keep him in his post?

- We also discussed this. We do not exclude this possibility. Perhaps the founders of RUSADA will consider our recommendation untimely and will allow him to continue working. Then the supervisory board will only have to accept it. Yes, it was not about a tough verdict. We just recommended that you figure out the situation, since doubts crept in. There is no smoke without fire. Until the proceedings are over, it is difficult to entrust such a responsible job to a person. How long they will last, I do not know. But the activities of RUSADA should in no way be suspended. The change in leadership should not affect the image of the agency and Russian sports in general. He certainly does not rest on Yuri Alexandrovich. But for now, he continues to fulfill his duties.

- There is no new information about the date of the decisive meeting on the fate of Ganus yet?

- We only recommended to consider this issue. As soon as the founders meet, they will make some kind of decision.

"According to Ganus, he has all the checks, but we have not seen these documents."

- Ivlev said that the overwhelming majority of the members of the supervisory board expressed no confidence in the general director of RUSADA. Were there those who abstained or voted against?

- There were such people. For example, Sergei Khrychikov voted negatively on all the questions raised. The Supervisory Board is an independent body. Everyone votes as they see fit and justifies their position. There were no abstentions.

- Ganus did not try to communicate with the council members before the meeting?

- It was not necessary. At the videoconference itself, he rather did not answer questions, but defended himself. In the course of the auditor's report, questions were raised, to which he had answers. Yuri Alexandrovich wrote them out, and then explained everything point by point. We actually heard a report on its activities. For example, Ganus talked about how much money the organization spent on taxis.

- Was he accused of spending budget funds on this item?

- It was said that a huge amount of money was spent on the taxi. He also said that a maximum of 75 thousand rubles were spent for these purposes in a year, but not millions, since everything has to be saved.

- That is, on this point, he managed to defend himself?

- According to Ganus' assurances, he has all the checks, but we have not seen these documents.

- What accusations did Yuri Aleksandrovich fail to give a clear answer to?

- You know, the meeting lasted 4.5 hours. And Ganus, when he is in shock, speaks very quickly and sometimes incoherently. He jumped from one question to another. Yuri Alexandrovich gave an answer regarding the procurement of samples for anti-doping laboratories. Overruns were also recorded under this article. In general, some questions remained unanswered.

- What is the main complaint that was put forward to Ganus?

- Inappropriate spending of budget funds. Thus, the question of business trips abroad was raised. According to the members of the Supervisory Board, they were not always justified. Hanus retorted that all travel was necessary. But there is no point in understanding this in words. The audit company will conduct a more thorough check.

- What amount of damage are we talking about?

- I can not tell. But in general sources figure 110 million rubles. However, I find it difficult to say where this amount came from. And yesterday this question was not raised.

- If Ganus nevertheless leaves his post, how will the election of the new general director of RUSADA be held?

- If the founders decide on the early termination of powers, a group of three people will be formed - members of the supervisory board. Within ten days, it is planned to organize a competition for the position of acting general director. This time, the selection will be tougher. As soon as the candidacy is determined, it will be presented to the founders. And they will already make a decision. In any case, RUSADA's work should not stop.