After athletics, swimming? Russian sport no longer knows the word respite. Its athletes are still suspended and could miss the Rio Games. Maria Sharapova was forced to precede the alarm signal and admit to a positive test herself. The battalion of meldonium consumers affects its national biathlon, wrestling, volleyball teams… And now its swimmers are in turn being singled out.
The case started from Great Britain. In its edition of this Wednesday March 23, the Times of London reveals that one of the most scandalous figures in Russian athletics, doctor Sergei Portugalov, would also have used his questionable practices in swimming. Chief physician of Russian athletics, accused by the recent report of the independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of being at the origin of the policy of systematic doping among athletes, this scientist would have been contacted by the Russian Swimming Federation from the year 2009.
Since this date, Sergei Portugalov has developed his practices in both disciplines. In athletics, the results are now known. In swimming, they are starting to come out of the woods. THE Times notes that 23 Russian swimmers have been convicted of doping since the 2009 season.
Among them, Yuliya Efimova (our photo). A four-time world champion, bronze medalist in the 100m breaststroke at the London Games in 2012, the Russian was suspended in 2013 and deprived of her five medals at the European Championships following a test revealing the presence of the steroid DHEA. Her suspension was at the time reduced from 2 years to 16 months after she pleaded to accidentally consuming the steroid in a supplement.
Yuliya Efimova recently admitted to having undergone two anti-doping tests with the famous meldonium in February. She says she is innocent. “I reject these accusations,” she said. Right now we are preparing to present our defense. We want the charges dropped and prove that I did not violate any anti-doping rules, and I continue to train to compete in the Rio Games. »
For the Times, there is no doubt that the presence of Doctor Sergei Portugalov around the pools will lead WADA to further investigate Russian swimming. “Calls for a suspension of Russian swimmers from the Rio Games will increase,” suggests the British daily. WADA has recommended the lifetime ban of Sergei Portugalov. He actively encouraged the Russian Swimming Federation to practice the same systematic doping policy as athletics. »
Vladimir Salnikov, the president of the Russian Swimming Federation, former middle-distance legend, was not available on Tuesday March 22 to answer questions from the Times. Same radio silence from Margarita Balakireva, the organization’s spokesperson.
The ball is now in the court of international institutions, FINA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, even the IOC. Less than five months before the Rio Games, their wait-and-see attitude could be misinterpreted.
