The Russian Athletics Federation might take legal action after German TV alleged widespread doping and cover-ups among the country’s track and field competitors, according to the president of the organization.
“The federation believes the documentary was a provocation aimed at discrediting Russian sport,” Valentin Balakhnichev said in a statement on Friday. “After watching the documentary, we immediately began to doubt how authentic and believable the material they edited was. We see this film ... as a planned attempt to create an ugly scandal within Russian athletics and Russian sport in general.”
“We are looking at all our options to defend our rights,” Balakhnichev added. “If it is possible under Russian and German law, we will take the appropriate legal action for the slanderous allegations made against us.”
The hour-long German program, broadcast by ZDF/ARD on Wednesday, featured an undercover video of what it said were Russian athletes and coaches admitting to covering up positive tests.
The video, which has not been seen or verified, also alleges corruption and a systematic doping issue among Russian athletes and high-ranking officials.
“One hears claims by five people whose statements are hardly credible,” Balakhnichev said. “Each of them had been exposed as a doping abuser and has personal reasons to have a dislike towards our athletes, coaches, athletes from other federations and the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA.”
“The Russian Athletics Federation is committed to its fight against doping in sport and we will continue this process,” he said.
On Thursday, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said they were “grave allegations” made by German TV.
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