She was expected, she arrived without delay. Following the storm caused by the threat of a suspension of Russian sport for a period of 4 years, the IOC invited itself into the debate. He could hardly avoid it. But, subtly, he chose to condemn some to better protect others.
The IOC's reaction to the WADA Compliance Review Committee's recommendation came early Tuesday, November 26, in the afternoon. It took the form of a press release.
Skillful in its communication, the Olympic organization initially appears very harsh. She announces that she “ condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of those responsible for the manipulation of data from the Moscow laboratory”. This manipulation is, for the IOC, “ an attack on the credibility of sport itself and an insult to the global sports movement. » So much for firmness.
The same resolutely determined tone is used by the institution to suggest its position in the event of sanction from the AMA, during its meeting on December 9 in Paris. “ The IOC will support the harshest sanctions that will be taken against all those responsible for this manipulation. » Clearly, he will support the possible exclusion from major sporting events of all Russian officials involved in the affair.
In passing, the IOC took the opportunity to once again ask “ Russian authorities to provide raw data related to this case. This remains of paramount importance, as the transmission of fully authenticated raw data will ensure that justice is finally done and allow the guilty to be duly punished and the innocent to be fully protected. »
But, cautiously, the IOC is taking great care to sort out the real culprits from the false culprits. He points the finger at the Moscow regime, but takes care to distance the Russian Olympic movement from his angle of aim.
In its second part, the press release specifies: “ We note that the report proves the sole responsibility of the Russian authorities in the manipulation of data (…). We also note that according to the report, the sports movement was in no way involved in this manipulation, and no fault of the sports movement in this regard is indicated, in particular on the part of the Russian Olympic Committee or its members. In this context, the IOC welcomes the opportunity offered by WADA to Russian athletes to compete, “if they are able to demonstrate that they are not involved in any way in these irregularities.”.
There is therefore no question of shooting Russian athletes on sight. Faithful to its line of conduct, the IOC places itself as guarantor of the protection of Russian athletes. He specifies : " Any sanction must follow the rules of natural justice and respect human rights. »
The message is clear. Thomas Bach in the lead, the IOC does not want to hear about a wholesale exclusion of Russia from the Olympic Games. He will support a new suspension of the country, as at the PyeongChang Winter Games, but refuses to consider a sanction against its athletes, often innocent victims of the slippages and manipulations of their leaders, sports or politicians.
From the United States, the director of the American anti-doping agency (USADA), Travis Tygart, once again poses as an activist for the strong method. He repeated, Tuesday, November 26, that Russia continued “ mocking global anti-doping rules, humiliating clean athletes, taunting WADA and getting away with it again and again. Now is the time to impose the harshest possible sanctions. » But the American agitates in vain. The IOC will not listen to him. Russian athletes will be present at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The only unknown concerns their number.
Another certainty: Russia will not allow itself to be sanctioned without reacting. In Moscow, Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov warned: the country will defend itself by all means. Starting with the most immediate, the referral to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
