Fetisov propose checking all doping tests of world athletes who competed at Olympics in London, Sochi, Rio
MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Founding Council member and Russia's Federation Council member Viacheslav Fetisov expressed the idea of a total check of all doping samples taken from athletes of the world who competed at the Olympic Games in recent years, for the purpose of identifying the doping problem's actual scale.
"I would propose to the respective sports international organizations to organize a total check of all doping tests and therapeutic exemptions of all athletes from across the world, the ones who took part in the Olympic Games in London, Sochi, and Rio de Janeiro. The goal is to finally understand the extent of the trouble and how we should all be fighting against it," Fetisov told reporters on Friday.
Fetisov believes he may by right propose this "since in almost 30 years that I was in high performance sports, I never used doping or any kind of exemptions".
He went on to suggest that "everything is fair in the fight against doping". "And if the actions of the IOC [International Olympic Committee] somehow pushed the Russian authorities towards creating a fully-fledged anti-doping system, this is also a good thing," Fetisov added.
However, he emphasized that he is "strongly against blanket accusations". "I will never accept the principle of collective responsibility, the way it happened to our Paralympians. I am hurt and offended to hear about broader use of doping and inconceivable therapeutic exemptions in the modern world. But this is no less revolting to hear unfounded accusations against athletes," Fetisov said.