State Duma sees Rodchenkov's statements on doping use by Russian athletes as manifestation of infowar
MOSCOW. May 13 (Interfax) - The statements by Grigory Rodchenkov, former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, who has accused dozens of Russian athletes of using doping and said the Sports Ministry and the Federal Security Service are involved in it, are a political special operation targeted against Russia, Ivan Melnikov, first deputy speaker of the State Duma and first deputy chairman of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party, said.
"Members of the Communist Party faction, naturally, were not included in the coach and medical headquarters of the Olympic team to judge about doping. However, it is obvious that Mr. Rodchenkov has become involved into an anti-Russia infowar," Melnikov said.
He believes this is indicated by the facts that "he went to the States, gave an interview to the New York Times and accused Russian athletes."
"We know this handwriting and we also know why such sensational statements are made. And it is clear to the whole world that selective attacks from overseas are virtually always a political special operation," Melnikov said.
The New York Times newspaper earlier reported, citing Rodchenkov, that dozens of Russian athletes, including 15 medal winners of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, used doping and that the former head of the Moscow laboratory helped substitute doping test samples.
