Travis Tygart
The head of the U.S. anti-doping Agency (USADA) Travis Tygart advocated the total suspension of the Russian team from participation in the Olympic winter games 2018 in Pyeongchang. About it reports The Guardian.
“World anti-doping Agency need to do exactly the same as in Rio and to recommend the suspension of Russia from the Winter Olympics because of its established doping practices and to allow competing neutral Russian athletes, if they prove their “purity”,” — said Tygart.
According to him, everything goes to the fact that Russia before the competition will allow, but if it happens, it would be a terrible signal to all sports. “Any other measure except for the removal of Russia, will actually release the guilty from prison,” — said the functionary.
On September 14 the national anti-doping Agency 17 countries, among which were representatives of the United States, Britain and Canada, called for the removal of the Russians from participating in the 2018 Olympics because of a doping scandal. They were supported by 12 national anti-doping agencies.
In the summer of 2016, the international Olympic Committee began its own investigation after the report of the independent Commission WADA, headed by Richard McLaren on doping in Russian sport. The study dealt with by the two commissions. The final decision on the participation of Russians in the Olympics in 2018 will be made upon the results of their work.
The Olympic Games will be held in Pyeongchang from 9 to 25 February.