9 Dec 2019 21:33

A Just Russia faction calls for parliamentary inquiry into sports officials after WADA decision

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - A Just Russia members in the State Duma will demand a parliamentary inquiry into sports officials in relation to the recommendations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ban Russia from sporting events, the faction's leader Sergei Mironov said.

"Our faction will initiate the matter of a parliamentary investigation into Russian sports officials who allowed such a failure in the whole of Russian sports, and, what's more, failed our athletes," Mironov told journalists on Monday.

The clean athletes, those who are totally innocent, should be allowed to compete under the neutral flag, he said. "As for our 'clean' athletes, let them travel under the neutral flag, we'll be cheering for them, all the more so because they are not to blame. Feeling very sorry for a huge number of our athletes, who were let down by our sports officials, and I think these should be questioned on a state level. I hope the State Duma will definitely do," Mironov said.

He dismissed the talk of "everyone doping but only us being accused of it."

"Honestly, we are sick and tired of hearing this. This is a political decision, I have no doubt about that. But what the... for years our sports officials have been doing nothing to protect our athletes. I am angry because as a citizen, as a sports fan, I am simply enraged by Russia being simply barred from global sports.

"What I suggest is, rather than covering our heads with ashes, rather than seeking justifications, that they are being so mean... where have our sports officials been? What I suggest is a parliamentary investigation. We were asleep. Look, sports, like fighting, is about beating, you need to stand up for yourself. I have yet to hear an articulate position."