adminLONDON. — As many as 99 percent of Russian athletes are guilty of doping, a German TV documentary has alleged. The programme claims that Russian officials systematically accepted payment from athletes to supply banned substances and cover up tests.
The documentary, shown by Das Erste, also implicates the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in covering up the abuse.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has pledged to “fully investigate”.
The BBC has not independently verified any of the allegations in the documentary and is awaiting responses from the athletes about whom the allegations have been made.
In the programme, broadcast on Wednesday, former Russia discus thrower Evgenia Pecherina claimed that “most, the majority, 99 percent” of Russian athletes use banned substances.
She added: “You can get absolutely everything. Everything the athlete wants.”
Liliya Shobukhova, who won London Marathon in 2010, is also interviewed in the programme and admits paying the Russian Athletics Federation 450 000 euros to cover up a positive doping test.
She is currently serving a two-year ban after irregularities were detected in her biological passport. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter