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Moscow Lab Reportedly Would Remove Swimmers From Testing Pool For Cash

On the heels of yesterday’s scathing report released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) alleging testing evasion, sample tampering and customs obstruction, among other acts of deception by Russian athletes, accusations are now emerging specific to the relationship between the Moscow anti-doping laboratory and the All-Russian Swimming Federation (WWF).

According to The Times, Grigory Rodchenkov, former director of the Moscow Laboratory, and Nikita Kamaev, the late former Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Executive Director, met more than once with WWF officials during the year 2011, leading up to the Summer Olympic Games in London.

During the meetings, both Rodchenkov and Kamaev allegedly asked for annual payments in the sum of RUB ₽3 million (£32,400/$45,000/€40,000) in exchange for the removal of two or three notable swimmers from the anti-doping pool.

WWF reportedly rejected the offer, but the allegations certainly cast an ever-darkening shadow on the integrity of the Moscow laboratory, the site which tested the samples from the 2015 FINA World Championships.

The report also reveals that another two Russian swimmers reportedly failed tests for banned substance erythropoietin, but the cases were never made public. The unnamed swimmers reportedly received 12-month suspensions from WWF, but the punishments were not enforced.

Said FINA of the aforementioned accusations, “These are very serious allegations and we urge anyone with relevant evidence to bring it forward to FINA so that we can share with all appropriate authorities and take immediate disciplinary action if required.”

“FINA is monitoring all developments in the world’s fight against cheating and doping in sport and is taking decisive action to protect the majority of our athletes who are clean.”

WADA responded to The Times, “These allegations are most concerning. We have immediately passed this on to our investigations team, who will examine the information in further detail.”

These swimming-specific allegations are another stain on the Russian sporting world following the reported systematic doping within the nation’s Athletics program. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will be making the decision today, June 17th, as to whether or not the ban on Russian athletics will be lifted in time for the nation to participate the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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Dcrabbe6
8 years ago

Cough cough efimova…..what I can’t understand is why her 2013 and 2012 performances are still upholding. She clearly cheated to get those medals

bwiab
8 years ago

Does not surprise me – I always wondered if people were being paid off for helping a certain Russian athlete.

David Berkoff
8 years ago

Throw them out of Río now

JPswim
Reply to  David Berkoff
8 years ago

There is no reason for a single Russian athlete to be competing this quad.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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