Russian Olympic Team Accused of Massive Doping Program, WADA to Investigate

The Russian Olympic team has found itself at the center of a massive potential doping scandal, after German television accused them of widespread PED use. The Russians have promised to conduct their own investigations. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency will be conducting their own investigation as well. 

Valentin Balakhnichev has since stepped down as the head of the IAAF following the allegations.

Continue for updates. 

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Dick Pound Will Lead WADA Investigation

The Associated Press (via ESPN) have an update on the WADA investigation into the allegations surrounding the Russian Olympic team:

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Former World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound will lead the body's investigation into allegations of systematic doping in Russia.

WADA announced Tuesday that Pound will head a three-person independent panel that will investigate the "grave" accusations of widespread doping, corruption and cover-ups in Russia that were broadcast by German television network ARD.

Veteran Canadian sports arbitrator Richard McLaren will also serve on the commission, while a third member will be announced later.

[...]

WADA said the panel will review the evidence aired by the German broadcaster as well as "other information received separately" by the agency.

"Once the investigation is concluded, if it is found that there have been violations or breaches of the rules, WADA will ensure that any individuals or organizations concerned are dealt with in an appropriate fashion under the World Anti-Doping Code," WADA president Craig Reedie said.

"

Thursday, Dec. 11

Balaknichev Steps Down As Head of Russian Athletics Foundation

The Associated Press reported on Valentin Balakhnichev and his role within the IAAF:

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The head of the Russian athletics federation said Wednesday that he has stepped down from his role as IAAF treasurer while accusations of systematic doping by Russian athletes are investigated.

Valentin Balakhnichev said he and his federation had been subjected to "brutal persecution" following allegations in a German TV documentary that doping in Russia was commonplace and test results were routinely falsified.

Balakhnichev told the Tass agency he had stepped down voluntarily and plans to return to his International Association of Athletics Federations post at "the end of the investigation into this doping scandal."

"

Wednesday, Dec. 10

WADA to Investigate Russia Doping Allegations 

The World Anti-Doping Agency has decided to formally investigate the allegations of doping by multiple athletes of the Russian Olympic team according to the Associated Press:

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The World Anti-Doping Agency says it will conduct its own probe of allegations of systematic doping in Russia.

WADA announced the inquiry Wednesday after "careful review of a series of documentary programs over the past week" by Germany's ARD network.

(...)

Now, WADA President Craig Reedie has promised an agency probe "to determine what actions are required to be taken by WADA and others."

Reedie's statement targets "all athletes who have cheated," though does not mention officials who have been implicated. WADA says it will later announce details of the inquiry and investigation panel.

"

Friday, Dec. 5

Russia Promises Investigation Into Claims

According to a report from the Associated Press (via ESPN), the Russian Anti-Doping Agency has promised to investigate claims of PED use from German television reports:

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"RUSADA is starting its own investigation in relation to those involved in the film and the information presented by them," the anti-doping agency said Friday in a statement.

The aim of the investigation is to "check the facts presented," the agency said, without giving any further details.

[...]

On Thursday, RUSADA executive director Nikita Kamaev said he was highly skeptical of the claims and would take no immediate action.

RUSADA and the national laboratory are funded and overseen by the Russian government.

"

Thursday, Dec. 4

German TV Claims Widespread Russian Doping

Members of the 2012 Russian Olympic team are being accused of a major doping scandal, according to a documentary that aired on a German TV network. 

Per the documentary, via Yahoo Sports, nearly every member of Russia's squad from the 2012 London Games is accused of doping and "claiming that positive tests have all been covered up."

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Officials said to be involved in the scandal come from the Russian anti-doping agency, the doping control laboratory in Moscow and the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Investigative journalist Hajo Seppelt’s documentary is described as "shocking" by David Howman, the general director of the World Anti-Doping Association while vowing to launch a full investigation.

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According to a press release from the ARD network, via LetsRun.com, one of the key names in the alleged doping violation on the documentary is Mariya Savinova, who won a gold medal in the 800 meter race at the 2012 Olympics:

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As for Savinova, ARD claims to have cell phone video footage of the 800 Olympic champ speaking about doping practices and her use of the banned anabolic substance oxandrolone. ARD also says it has footage of Savinova’s coach, Vladimir Kazarin, discussing how he gave tablets containing oxandrolone to another athlete.

"

Ed Warner, chairman of UK Athletics, has demanded a swift resolution to the investigation per Owen Gibson of theguardian.com:

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We don’t need this in a year’s time, we need this in a matter of weeks time. We don’t want to go into the 2015 athletics season with suspicion hanging over Russian athletes. We can’t be going into a European indoor championships in Prague in March with people looking at what they are watching and wondering if they can believe it.

"

The alleged scandal goes beyond just Olympic athletes, as the agent of Chicago Marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova is reported to have "paid the Russian track federation more than $600,000" to avoid a suspension, according to French newspaper L’Equipe (via Philip Hersh of The Chicago Tribune). 

Per the Yahoo report, Yulia Stepanova is one of the whistleblowers for the documentary done by Hajo Seppelt and her husband, Vitaliy Stepanova, is quoted as saying the Russian anti-doping agency chose who to suspend, "if it was an unknown athlete, the test remained positive."