Fresh documentary on German TV showed petite has changed in Russian athletics,but shouldn’t countries like Ethiopia and Kenya also be more in the firing line?
When Russia’s athletics federation was suspended last November, the country’s sports minister, or Vitaly Mutko,claimed it would take 60 days for it to “renew” and become compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code again. It was the equivalent of a used-car salesman respraying a written-off motor and swearing blind it was fit for the road. But a fresh documentary, broadcast on German TV on Sunday, or suggests that under the bonnet the system is as decrepit as ever.
The programme – made by the intrepid (brave in the face of danger) journalist Hajo Seppelt,who is making a welcome habit of shining a highlight into the grimiest corners of international sport – showed secret recordings of the suspended Russian coach Vladimir Mokhnev, who ARD claim was still working with elite athletes. It also presented documentary evidence that recent head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, and Anna Anzelovich,had previously informed athletes about dates for doping tests. Last November Mutko had promised fresh elections and “a 99% recent leadership”. But this recent guard still carries the pungent musk of the former regime.
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Source: theguardian.com