Russia in another doping scandal

RUSSIA suffered more doping shame at the Olympics yesterday with the news that cyclist Vladimir Gusev will not compete in the Beijing Olympics after his professional team fired him last month on suspicion of doping.

The head of Russia’s cycling federation confirmed yesterday that Gusev, 25, who was scheduled to race in the individual time trial on August 13, would not compete.

Gusev won the Russian national championship in the discipline in June but was fired by Astana in July after internal, out-of-competition tests showed abnormal blood values.

“This is a tragedy for the athlete, this kind of suspicion. Not just in cycling, but any sport, it’s bad and it can distract from a desired result,” Russian Cycling Federation head Alexander Gusyatnikov said.

Gusev did not test positive for doping and was not accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, Gusyatnikov said.

“We believe him, we have faith, but who knows? Maybe in the technical data something will show up,” Gusyatnikov said. Astana was not at the Tour de France in July and Gusev’s high-mountain training for Beijing could have altered his blood values, he added.

“He spent a lot of time at altitude and his body was attuned to elevation, where there is less oxygen. That alone has the effect of changing blood indicators — all we can do now is wait and follow procedures,” Gusyatnikov added.

The International Olympic Committee yesterday said a case of “systematic planned doping” had been uncovered following last week’s suspension of seven top female Russian athletes.

The seven are accused of tampering with urine samples and the International Association of Athletics Federations has provisionally suspended the women, five of whom were due to compete in Beijing.

They include 800m and 1,500m runner Yelena Soboleva and 2004 silver medallist Tatyana Tomashova, who could face four-year bans under new rules. Soboleva has vowed to fight the provisional suspension.

Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC’s medical commission and vice-president of the world anti-doping agency, WADA, said: “This does seem to be an example of systematic planned doping, and under the new WADA code that would mean an expanded ban of four years.

“The federation has done a very good job revealing a very bad doping story. It’s sad and very disappointing that this type of planned cheating is still going on.

“There is a due procedure for the Russian federation to follow but the data is convincing and the DNA analysis is 100%. If the urine is proved to not be theirs then they certainly have a case to answer.”

Ljungqvist said between 4,500 and 5,000 drugs tests — more than ever before — would be carried out at the Beijing Games, some targeted at athletes who have raised suspicions they may be using banned drugs.