Yesterday we reported on a swimming-specific attempted bribery scheme involving the Moscow anti-doping laboratory and the All-Russian Swimming Federation (WWF). According to an article published in The Times, Grigory Rodchenkov, former director of the Moscow Laboratory, and Nikita Kamaev, the late former Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Executive Director, met more than once with WWF officials during the year 2011, leading up to the Summer Olympic Games in London.
During the meetings, both Rodchenkov and Kamaev allegedly asked for annual payments in the sum of RUB ₽3 million (£32,400/$45,000/€40,000) in exchange for the removal of two or three notable swimmers from the anti-doping pool.
World swimming governing body FINA released a statement indicating that, “These are very serious allegations and we urge anyone with relevant evidence to bring it forward to FINA so that we can share with all appropriate authorities and take immediate disciplinary action if required.”
For its part, Russia’s Swimming Federation calls the recent allegations of bribery as ‘absurd’. Said Vladimir Salnikov, Head of the Russian Swimming Federation, “All these speculations have an impact on sportsmen who have nothing to do with doping and are open to all checks within the framework of the laws in force,”
“It is absurd and a provocation,” said Salnikov.
The allegations were brought to light on the same day that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) unanimously voted to uphold the ban on Russian athletics through the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Salnikov must have had his pockets lined. A great swimmer, but crooked federation head overseeing systemic doping, except with Yulia, that was an honest mistake.
Yes Salnikov. Absurd that you do not want to see the truth or you are as dirty as the rest. Take a stand for the future, there is only dirt to bring from the past.