R-Sport – Rozhkov: CAS decision may create difficulties for the RPC on RUSADA’s line

Moscow, December 19 – RIA Novosti, Oleg Bogatov. The verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) may create certain difficulties for the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) during additional testing of athletes by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in preparation for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, RIA Novosti was told by Pavel Rozhkov, the RPC First Vice President, Chef de Mission of Russian Paralympic team at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

On December 17, CAS published a decision on the dispute between WADA and RUSADA, which states that Russian athletes cannot participate in major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games, under the Russian flag until December 2022. The sentence has been reduced by half in comparison with WADA's initial desire. The performance of Russians in neutral status is not prohibited.

The RPC in the arbitration acted as an interested party (third party). In a press release from the RPC on Thursday, it was said that the CAS verdict creates additional significant difficulties in organizing the participation of Russian athletes in these competitions.

“We are connected with doping testing of athletes in preparation for the Paralympic Games - in connection with the post-recovery criteria of the IPC, - said Rozhkov in a telephone conversation. - And we have to undergo additional testing, but it is not yet clear to us in what format RUSADA will now work. This did not affect the Olympians, but we have it left from the previous decisions of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee)”.

“And we, at least six months before any major international start, must pass from one to three tests, depending on the sport, - added the agency's interlocutor. - Of course, now we will consider this problem as well. And we need some time to thoroughly understand all the powers of RUSADA today”.

Other points of the CAS decision include a ban on the filing of applications for holding major international tournaments in Russia, the non-admission of Russian officials to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and RUSADA's fine as compensation for WADA's expenses. Both parties to the proceedings stated that they were not fully satisfied.

“In addition, we planned to hold a world championship in Russia, in particular, in wheelchair fencing, - added the RPC First Vice President. - And also IWAS World Games, and a contract with IWAS has already been signed. And a significant part of the preparatory work has already been carried out and certain financial costs have been incurred. Both from our side and from the IWAS side. And now we need to clarify these issues with the IPC, it is not completely clear how it will look in the end”.

Chef de Mission of Russian Paralympic team at the same time noted that CAS at some points went to meet the RPC.

“The main thing is that all our athletes can take part in the Paralympic Summer Games in Tokyo next year and in the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing,”, - he added.

“The court also did not prohibit the leadership and members of the RPC from attending sports events, - continued Rozhkov. - And this is an important decision, since the overwhelming majority of the team, and our delegation (at the Tokyo Games) will be almost 500 people - athletes moving in wheelchairs and athletes with visual impairments. Athletes will compete in equipment in the colors of the Russian flag and using the word “Russia”.