The analytical part of the judgment by the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Russian skier Alexander Legkov consists of 46 pages. Serious rationale was expected, even several weeks after the disqualification. Instead, it was an extract from the athlete's biography coupled with quotations from the work of Grigory Rodchenkov about so-called doping cocktails and supposed scratches on test tubes with samples. Nothing more, in fact. But it proved to be sufficient to put pressure on Russian athletes, not only on Legkov, but also on the biathlon athlete, Yana Romanova. She made herself clear saying that she'd rather throw her silver medal into the garbage rather than give it to the IOC.
So, one scandal after another. Everyone has almost forgotten who provoked all this bullying. It's the US Anti-Doping Agency. And here is a good reason to recall it. Publicist Ilya Ukhov has conducted an investigation to find out the sources of its financing. He has revealed that it gained $37 million directly from the White House over the past 3 years.
Anastasia Efimova will tell us what the sum was spent on.
-Good evening, Anastasia.
-Hello.
- As far as I see, they not only want to take away our Olympic medals, but also ban us from the World Cup Championship.
- Yes, such assumptions may appear well-grounded. Official documents show five payments, all impressive sums: 4, 5,5 and even 9 million dollars. These are grants given to the US Anti-Doping Agency. According to the open reporting, they are granted by the Executive Office of the US President.
Ilya Ukhov, journalist: "They've spent about $37 million in 2014-2017 on anti-doping activity. Interestingly, these sums were allocated not by a sports agency, or a health care body, or other specialized entities. This money was allocated by the Executive Office of the US President, part of the President's Administration. It's a purely political office. It's a political body of the US which deals with political issues."
We can only guess why the Executive Office spends money to provide financial assistance to USADA. The expenditure account, which is traditionally very detailed, is now somewhat nebulous. Interestingly, the papers show that the USADA got its first grant from the White House in 2014, right after the Sochi Olympics which were a triumph for Russian athletes.
Dmitry Nosov, judo bronze medalist in 2004: "It's a tragedy for our athletes that sport is no longer about sport. It's not pure anymore. It's about big dirty political gambling. Unfortunately, our clean athletes have been taken hostage to this dirty gambling. The guys are clean in all respects. They can even be called saints. These people have been training to bring glory to their country. Now they (US) are wiping their boots on them."
The statements of Travis Tygart, head of USADA, are something else. He stated that positive doping tests were not a prerequisite for disqualifying Russian athletes. In fact, he admitted that the allegations against Moscow were made up. Strictly speaking, it's reason enough to forfeit his post. Although, given such sponsors, the USADA has nothing to fear.
Travis Tygart, head of USADA: "I think it's clear that banning Russian athletes from international competitions is a nuclear option, the only suitable decision that could be taken in this situation. It's not an easy decision. I assure you that I wholeheartedly worry for the Russian athletes that aren't doping, if any even remain in such a system."
The main question is what their next target it. What has the Executive Office already spent $37 million on and allocated more money for? Football seems to be next. The notorious Richard McLaren has stated that Russian team players were allegedly doping at the competition 7 years ago. The information was refuted, but given that the runaway scientist, Rodchenkov promised evidence on that claim, it seems clear that the next target is the 2018 World Cup Championship.
Andrei Manoilo, americanologist, political expert: "These are all links in one chain." The thing is that the disqualification of our athletes and these dirty versions and defamation of our teams are a well-orchestrated infowar operation. Obviously, the agents of this operation enjoy the protection of either the US intelligence umbrella or the State Department umbrella."
There have been many cases of US political interference into Russian sports. By the way, Ilya Ukhov, the author of the investigation, even proposed to collect all the data, papers, and references to publish later on in English, too. Although, they are unlikely to pay attention to it overseas. No evidence is needed when its absence is so well-rewarded.
Anastasia Efimova reporting on the sponsors of the doping hysteria.
