“He can’t be accused of bias”: how Russia reacted to McLaren’s call to lift the suspension from Russian athletes

Richard McLaren, in an interview with ARD journalist Hayo Seppelt, said that domestic athletes were unfairly sanctioned.

“They did not start this conflict and are not responsible for its course.

These are two good reasons to let them perform again, ”said the lawyer.

However, according to his assumptions, as long as the special operation in Ukraine continues, the international sports community will not change its mind.

However, the Canadian is sure that CAS may well intervene in the matter.

“If CAS issues a verdict in favor of the athletes, the federations will be forced to allow them to compete.

Everything is completely transparent,” McLaren added.

Recall that at the end of 2014, it was McLaren who was appointed head of the commission to investigate allegations of widespread, systematic use and concealment of doping in Russia.

And in 2016, WADA created a group to investigate allegations by the former director of the Anti-Doping Center, Grigory Rodchenkov, which was also headed by McLaren.

As a result, the country lost a number of medals from the home Olympics, and serious sanctions were imposed on it.

At the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the national team played in a neutral status and in a truncated composition.

However, the IOC still adheres to the same position regarding the fate of domestic athletes.

The head of the organization, Thomas Bach, recently once again stressed that he does not recommend federations to invite Russians.

And honorary member of the committee and former head of WADA Craig Reedy called their participation in the 2024 Olympics unlikely, since they will not get the opportunity to qualify for the Games.

“It seems unrealistic that anyone would be able to qualify, except in those sports where it is done differently.

Will they be able to cope with the task in these three sports (judo, cycling, tennis)?

Not sure.

It is very difficult to say halfway through: “Everyone who has already qualified!

We changed the rules, ”the Guardian quotes the functionary.

"McLaren is an honest man to have the courage to broadcast such things"

Honorary President of the ROC and Vice Speaker of the State Duma Alexander Zhukov said he did not expect such statements from McLaren.

“The thesis “Sport is out of politics” still did not lose its relevance, although, of course, it has been violated recently.

Now we can agree with McLaren's statement.

Obviously, Russian athletes should be allowed to participate in international competitions.

Now we are waiting for Bach to say such words.

I hope the IOC will change its position, ”Match TV quotes Zhukov.

And the leaders of the domestic federations took the passage of the Canadian as a good sign, indicating an imminent change in the situation.

According to the head of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics (VFCG) Irina Viner, if even a person known for his principled position towards them took the side of the Russians, this can be perceived as a positive development.

The head of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) Shamil Tarpishchev, who expects similar statements from other prominent foreign functionaries, adheres to the same position.

Finally, the head of the Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR), Mikhail Mamiashvili, emphasized: McLaren made a courageous act, standing up for domestic athletes at a difficult moment, and was not afraid to show integrity in this matter.

“These are obvious things, they are clear to everyone - and to those who succumbed to persecution, federations, where there were once no barriers on national or religious principles.

I think McLaren is an honest person regarding his worldview, since he has the courage to broadcast such things, ”Mamiashvili emphasized.

“As soon as the special operation is over, everything will return to normal”

However, according to RT experts, the words of a lawyer are not able to lead to the easing of sanctions and the return of Russians to the international arena.

For example, the honorary president of the RFU, Vyacheslav Koloskov, believes that they should be perceived as nothing more than an isolated case, since the Canadian does not hold any leadership positions.

However, he called them an important sign.

“This can be taken as a signal for leaders who are introducing new restrictions and removing domestic athletes.

McLaren is an authoritative specialist who headed a special commission to investigate anti-doping violations at the Olympic Games - 2014. In addition, his words sounded timely, because most recently the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, said that he still does not recommend inviting Russians.

We will consider this the beginning of a revision of the policy regarding our country, ”Koloskov emphasized.

In turn, State Duma deputy Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurova noted that McLaren had previously spoken not against Russia, but for the “purity” of sports.

Now, having stood up for domestic athletes, he showed himself to be a consistent person.

“No one can accuse him of bias and outside pressure.

He clearly adheres to the opinion that innocent people in the use of illegal drugs should not be punished.

And he sincerely believes that Russians should not suffer in the current political situation.

Otherwise, we are not talking about sports anymore.

Whether he will be able to convince the rest or not is a big question, ”the deputy said.

At the same time, Zhurova, like Koloskov, believes that the words of a lawyer will not have any effect on the IOC, since they run counter to the policy of the organization.

The final lifting of sanctions against the Russians, according to the Olympic champion, should be expected after the end of the special operation.

“Once it’s over, everything will be back to normal.

Now leading sports functionaries are waiting for this moment.

Such precedents have already happened.

Even after World War II, athletes from Germany and Japan were gradually allowed to compete,” added Zhurova.

Tatiana Pokrovskaya, mentor of the Russian national synchronized swimming team, is sure that others will follow the example of the Canadian.

“I think gradually their voices will sound louder.

Believe me, we live and work with the belief that sooner or later Russians will be admitted to international competitions.

We believe that warming will come, ”the specialist summed up.