“Their medals over morals mentality disgusts me”.
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Craven said he had “deep sympathy” for Russian competitors who will miss the Rio Games but that the decision was taken in the best interests of the Paralympic movement.
The International Olympic Committee chose to let Russia into the Rio Olympics now underway, but eliminated 100 athletes who were filtered out by individual federations.
Craven went on: “Their thirst for glory at all costs has severely damaged the integrity and image of all sport and has certainly resulted in a devastating outcome for the Russian Paralympic Committee and Para athletes”. “For this reason, Russian Federation is immediately suspended and loses all rights to participate in the Paralympics”.
‘I think that no other national Paralympic committee has as carefully and actively worked on its anti-doping programme than we have, ‘ Lukin told reporters at a press conference in Moscow.
It is likely, however, that the IPC’s stance will offer some solace to those opposing the pass – and IPC president Sir Philip Craven has advised that “the Russian system has catastrophically failed its athletes”. The findings were enough to convince the IPC board to declare the RPC “unable to ensure compliance” with the World Anti-Doping Code in time for the Paralympics, which begin on Sept 7.
“It shows a blatant disregard for the health and well-being of athletes and, quite simply, has no place in Paralympic sport”, Craven said.
Lukin said Monday that the committee would decide by the end of the day where to file their appeal, one of its options being the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Seventy-six Russian athletes are monitored by ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System), and no accusations were brought against them.
Russia’s years of doping deception, including tampering with samples at the 2014 Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi, were outlined last month by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.
“There is no room in any sport for drug cheats and I firmly believe that the right decision has been made”.
The IPC, however, have taken an entirely opposite stance, choosing instead to refuse the country access to the Games, which are due to start on September 5th.
Wada, which was slapped down by the International Olympic Committee for urging it and the IPC to throw Russian Federation out of the Olympics, said: “Wada supports the decision taken by the IPC, which we believe is in the interest of clean athletes”.
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“We sincerely hope that the changes that need to happen, do happen”, he said.
