Chain reactions

The revelations by the German channel ARD on doping practices in Russian sport have provoked a series of reactions, both in Moscow and in certain sporting institutions. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) explained that it was waiting for an official request from WADA before investigating the accusations in the documentary. A request which should not delay, WADA having promised in a press release “to carefully examine the declarations targeting the Russian authorities and to take appropriate measures provided for by law if these are confirmed”. In Russia, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko spoke of a plot to “belittle Russian sport.” Before suggesting: “Of course I don’t appreciate these accusations, especially since we have made a lot of progress in the other direction. » Valentin Balakhnichev, the president of the Russian Athletics Federation, directly implicated by the German documentary, spoke of a “web of lies”, and promised an “official statement”, undoubtedly before the weekend. Finally, the IAAF indicated in a press release that it had “taken note of a number of serious allegations concerning doping activities within athletics in Russia”. The International Federation clarified that “an investigation by the Ethics Commission is currently underway regarding allegations made in the documentary. »