Russian chemist apologizes 'to all clean athletes we cheated'

ESPN ^ | Feb 16, 2018 | Associated Press

[GoldenState_Rose]

"I am very sorry to all the clean athletes we cheated," former Russian anti-doping laboratory director Grigory Rodchenkov said in correspondence to The Associated Press.

Rodchenkov, who lives in hiding, denied claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his unmasking of the scandal was being controlled by U.S. agencies.

"As usual, Putin is misinformed," Rodchenkov said. "I am speaking the truth. No one is influencing me."

Rodchenkov also berated the Court of Arbitration for Sport for overturning lifetime Olympic bans on Russians, saying the ruling gave the impression to clean competitors that "we don't care about you."

Asked whether he was aware of other countries running Russian-style state-sponsored schemes, Rodchenkov replied: "I certainly have suspicions, but it is hard to imagine any country had our level of deception and high-level support."

[GoldenState_Rose]

And at this comes at heels of news that a Curler, Alexander Krushelnitskiy, from *this year's* games is set to lose his medal for failing doping test.

Russia's "Deep State" blames U.S. for conspiracy against their athletics program.

[JPJones]

“And at this comes at heels of news that a Curler, Alexander Krushelnitskiy, from *this year’s* games is set to lose his medal for failing doping test. “

Lol

Why the hell would you dope up for curling?

He should lose his medal for being an idiot.

[LeoTDB69]

“Why the hell would you dope up for curling?”

You should see their chess team!

[JPJones]

I bet Bobby Fischer would be a great curler.

[Yaelle]

I’m so happy the athletes get to participate. The window for this caliber of competition is small and theyve trained for years. I would hate it if the USA were banned for bad behavior (say, letting gymnastics doctors rape all the girls), if all our young athletes lost the chance to compete. Glad the athletes are still there.

[Navy Patriot]

In 2013 Marina Rodchenkova – Gregory Rodchenkov’s sister – was found guilty and received a sentence for selling anabolic steroids to athletes. Her brother was also the subject of a criminal investigation into charges that he supplied banned drugs. The twosome operated a highly profitable business supplying drug dealers with dangerous chemicals known as PEDs or Performance Enhancing Drugs, and personally collecting payments for the drugs and clean test results.

Gregory Rodchenkov, who used to head the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, made a private business out of doping, and when it was discovered, he fled Russia to avoid prosecution.

Rodchenkov was Convicted and Sentenced in Absentia September 28, 2017 by Russian court and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Rodchenkov has been given sanctuary and protection in the US because he swears that the Russian Government did it all, not him.

You see, if we Americans won't help Russian Criminals expose doping, who will?

[GoldenState_Rose]

There are a few factors distinguishing this instance, but regardless on a happier note:

There is a fabulous documentary of the 1980 Russian hockey team. Really cool to get their take on that fateful game at Lake Placid, which from US perspective was a “Miracle.”

This is the Russian team’s side of the story, the players are so compelling. :)

Trailer:

https://youtu.be/a_euhvZQMaw

[Yaelle]

Cool to know such a documentary exists. I would love to see it one day.

[NorseViking]

Reminds me Bill Browder and Sergey Magnitsky. They have defrauded investors and cheated on taxes and after got caught Browder went to McCain and the whole story was turned upside down. Then Magnitsky died from alcohol-related health issues but officially ‘tortured to death by Putin’. Also Browder is now somehow a victim and ‘whistleblower’ who ‘exposed’ some sort or ‘corruption’. Which whistle he blows is a question by itself but you don’t hear a lot of details of ‘corruption’ because the story would fall apart in this case.