Russian Athletics facing more dilemma ahead of Olympic verdict

Photo: Yelena Isinbayeva (AP)

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)) has come with fresh allegations regarding opposition they faced from armed federal security agents when they attempted to test Russian athletes.

The report which surfaced over the last two days stated that the Anti-doping officials in Russia are being stopped from testing athletes and were even threatened by security services with possible expulsion from the country.

This report came just two days before Russia, who is being accused of state-sponsored doping, finds out whether it can send athletes to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The detail report specified that; 73 of 455 tests on athletes could not be collected, 736 tests were declined or cancelled, 23 tests were missed, which the report says is a “significant amount” and 52 findings were adverse.

There is also accusation of athletes that were seen running away from the mixed zone after their events, while others left the stadium during races and could not be located.

The IAAF meets on Friday in Vienna to discuss what Russian authorities have done to tackle doping and whether its athletes should compete in Rio.

There is the possibility of the clean Russian athletes competing under the IOC flag at this year’s Olympic Games if there federation remains banned after Friday’s meeting.

However popular Russian Olympic and World Championship medallist Yelena Isinbayeva said on Wednesday that she will not compete under the International Olympic Committee flag if Russian athletes are banned from the 2016 Rio Games.

In an open letter she was quoted as saying “I do not think it is fair to forbid me and other clean Russian athletes to compete – athletes who have repeatedly proved they are innocent of cheating”.