The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Vitold Banka, told Reuters that those who dope underage athletes should receive a prison sentence.

“Doping in children is evil, it is unforgivable. Doctors, coaches and other personnel who are found to be giving children drugs to improve performance should be suspended for life, and I personally think that they should be in prison, ”Banka said.

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva at the end of December 2021 passed a positive doping test for trimetazidine, the result became known after the end of the team figure skating tournament at the Olympics, which was won by Russian athletes, including Valieva.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed the skater to continue to compete in the Olympics. In its decision, CAS noted that 15-year-old Valieva, due to her age, is classified as a “protected athlete”, and the RUSADA and WADA anti-doping rules do not say anything about the provisional suspension imposed on such individuals.

In Germany, they urged not to allow young athletes into the elite too early Olympics 2022 RUSADA on February 11 reported that it had launched an investigation into the figure skater's staff. The WADA Independent Investigation Department will also check Valieva's entourage.

“We insist that RUSADA conduct a serious investigation into Valieva's entourage. We will check this and make sure that the investigation is proceeding properly, ”Banka added.

According to the head of WADA, in Russia it is necessary to change the culture of attitudes towards doping. “We still have the previous generation of coaches and doctors working with children, so we urgently demand that the Russian Ministry of Sports change the situation,” said Banka.

Valieva will take part in individual competitions in women's single skating, which will be held at the Beijing Olympics on February 15 and 17.

bbabo.Net