COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Two of Russia’s best swimmers have been tested for doping by their country’s anti-doping agency just twice each in 2023, part of a larger trend in the country that adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the Olympic committee’s decision. International Committee to allow some Russian athletes to compete next year in the Paris Olympics.
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency lists on its website the number of tests it conducts on individual athletes, following best practices to which it has long been urged to adapt. It will carry out around 10,500 tests in 2023 – a figure the IOC highlighted in a memorandum signed by key members of the Olympic movement at last week’s summit which “confirmed that doping controls in Russia continue”.
Of those tests, only two tests were conducted for defending champion Yevgeny Rylov in the 100 and 200 meter backstroke, and world record holder in the 50 meter backstroke Kliment Kolesnikov.
Another medal contender, Evgeniya Chikunova, has been tested three times by the agency. Russia’s pair of fencing silver medalists, Pavel Sukhov and Nikita Glazkov, have just one test each in 2023. Five of the gymnasts who led the Russians to gold medals in the men’s and women’s team events have, combined, been tested nine times.
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For example, Rylov said he would not sign a declaration stating that he does not support the war in Ukraine, a requirement set by the International Olympic Committee for athletes to compete. Gymnasts are in a state of limbo due to the different positions taken by the international and European governing organizations in that sport.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart is concerned about leveling the playing field in Paris.
“Things are not as they are portrayed,” Tygart said. “To say that Russian athletes are held to the same standards as other athletes is a slap in the face of clean athletes.”
Some of the top American athletes – such as Noah Lyles (7), Sha-Cary Richardson (6), Ryan Murphy (9), and Katie Ledecky (9) – have been tested twice or three times as many times as potential Russian competitors. Simone Biles has tested four times in 2023, the most of any top gymnast in Russia.
Comprehensive testing of athletes by national anti-doping agencies, especially at times when they are not competing, is the cornerstone of an effective anti-doping system. A minimum of three to five tests is the standard minimum to ensure the effectiveness of the Athletes’ Biological Passport – an advanced data set that tracks athletes’ blood samples over time to detect doping.
An email sent by The Associated Press to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s communications department seeking comment was not immediately responded to.
The stringency of Russia’s testing during the period when the anti-doping agency was deemed non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency rules has been a worrying issue in the near decade since the Russian state-sponsored doping scheme for athletes at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 was exposed.
These questions persisted in the months leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, when testing numbers declined sharply around the world due to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the statistics released by the International Olympic Committee last week was that the International Testing Agency, which tests athletes from various countries in many sports, has conducted “more than” 400 out-of-competition tests on Russians in 2023 – a number that will increase the 10500 tests. Conducted by Albilad’s own agency.
But based on an analysis by the United States Agency for International Development (USADA), ITA tests have limited scope in any country. USAID recently concluded that testing conducted by international bodies only covered about 11% of the American athletes on its Olympic team, while the other 89% only underwent testing conducted by the agency itself.
An analysis conducted by USAID and obtained by the AP and discussed at recent meetings involving U.S. Olympic leaders showed that about 76% of the 360 Russian summer athletes ranked in the top 10 in their sports since 2021 had two or fewer tests this year.
Once Russian athletes are determined to be eligible to participate in the Olympics, “then a lot of work needs to be done to make the entire system confident that the athletes are fully compliant,” said US Olympic and Paralympic Committee President Gene Sykes, who signed the IOC memo. “.
WADA said it continues to monitor Russia’s anti-doping agency and is working with both the ITA and individual sports authorities to try to ensure Russian athletes are tested appropriately.
“WADA remains skeptical and cautious when it comes to Russia,” said WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald. “We must remain vigilant and ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to ensuring that all appropriate testing is carried out ahead of Paris.”
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As the next year’s Paris Olympics draw closer, concerns have arisen regarding the minimal drug testing faced by several top Russian athletes. With the shadow of the country’s doping scandal still looming, questions have been raised about the integrity of the competition and the potential for unfair advantages. The lack of rigorous testing has caused unease among athletes and officials, who fear a repeat of past controversies. As the world eagerly anticipates the global event, the issue of drug testing for Russian athletes has once again come to the forefront, sparking debate and concern.