World Cup 2018 Scandal: Russia In Question

Due to the previous incident in Russia which involved the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, US Anti-Doping Agency Chief Executive, Travis Tygart believes that Russia should not host this year’s World Cup as they are found noncompliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency. He conveyed to The Guardian that “Russia should not be hosting the World Cup because they have clearly violated the rules,” and “A lot of people here are really frustrated by it. And while it is too late in the game to do anything about it, ultimately it sends a very bad message to clean athletes.” In line with this, he questioned FIFA’s decision to award Russia the tournament.

Seven months earlier before the McLaren Report in December 2016, it was revealed that several athletes had manipulated their urine sample at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi to pass the drug test. This revelation was reported by whistleblower, Grigory Rodchenko.

“Unfortunately the weak and political decisions that the International Olympic Committee and Wada made in dealing with Russia has caused a lot of people to ask that question. We can’t be naive when it looks like you can steal and not be held accountable.” This is Tygart’s response to a question raised based on worry of a repeat Sochi incident. He added that it is probable that Russian hackers Fancy Bears whom he called “a unit of the Russian government”, could have been active during the play. He also raised points about some sports athletes worried to play against Russia due to the Ministers office previous action which was cited in the McLaren Report “Remember the McLaren report that indicated that the minister’s office told Rodchenkov to create a false positive for a Ukrainian athlete and that served the interest of Russia,” he said. “Athletes have expressed their concern for the security around doping – and possibility getting a false positive that has been intentionally created to take them down. It is an environment that is really scary for athletes.”

“The IOC is pushing to draw a line under the Russian doping scandal,” said Tygart. “That would be a total disaster and if Wada allows it to happen, without the Russians meeting the roadmap, it will be a devastating blow to its credibility. I think people are genuinely concerned that is going to happen and it has the appearance of a total set up. If possible the IOC will allow it to go away. So it is incumbent on everyone who agrees that clean sport matters, to ensure that it doesn’t.”

The above statement proved that there were individuals under the mentioned parties that approved the reinstatement of Russia and support the intention to disregard the scandal.

He expressed that Wada should change its funding model as its source were supported by IOC and the government. “Unfortunately Wada is really doomed to fail in its current structure unless it has pretty significant changes that makes it free from the conflict of interest – and those who have an interest not to promote clean sport,”. He proposed an alternative which is a levy on broadcast rights.