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McLaren Report Part 2: Over 1,000 Russian athletes involved in state-sponsored doping scheme

 

On 9th December 2016 the Independent Person (IP) investigative Commission appointed by WADA and chaired by Richard McLaren published the second part of its report claiming that more than 1,000 Russian athletes – in summer and winter Olympic sports as well as Paralympic athletes are involved in the state-sponsored doping scheme.

The Report discloses that more than thirty sports – among those football – are implicated. The frauds covered among others the 2012 Summer Games in London and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games and the 2013 Track and Field World Championships in Moscow.

At the Press Conference on Friday McLaren announced: there is evidence for more than 500 positive samples having been registered as negative and well-known and prominent athletes are among those involved. 4 gold medal winners of the Sochi Olympic Games and further 8 medal winner Russian athletes had their samples manipulated with.

According to the Report they are able to confirm the presence of an unprecedented doping conspiracy since 2011 until the time after the Sochi Olympic Games, with the aim to have medal winners.

Richard McLaren said the desire to allow the athletes win medals had upset the moral and ethical rules, has severely damaged the Olympic spirit and Fair Play. “Coaches and athletes have been playing on an uneven field. Sports fans and spectators have been deceived.” He added “It is time this stops.”

 

Thomas Bach, President of the IOC had stated, prior to the disclosure of the Report, that he would propose a life ban on those involved in the doping scandal.

As a result of the first part of the McLaren Report, published in July, over hundred Russian athletes could not take part in the Olympic Games of Rio, and the whole Paralympic team was banned.

Read the WADA Statement regarding conclusion of McLaren Investigation