Vladimir Morozov Pleads Innocence in Facebook Post

Photo Courtesy: David Farr

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

Yesterday when FINA announced seven Russian athletes who would not be eligible to compete in Rio, Vladimir Morozov was on that list. While he has never been suspended for a positive test (a condition to warrant an Olympic ban), Morozov was one of three athletes who FINA said were implicated in the McLaren report.

Today, the 24 year old took to Facebook to share a letter to FINA Presiden Julio Maglione. Just this morning Maglione criticized WADA for overstepping its power.

Morozov pleaded his case, citing the five agencies which have drug tested him in the past six years, and noting that he has never produced a positive test.

“I am sure that I am a clean athlete and my name must stay clean, supported by the facts of testing throughout the years. I am sure that in a justice-driven system I have full right to take part in the Olympic Games.” he wrote.

Photo Courtesy: Facebook

As was reported yesterday, keeping Morozov out of the Games could be a blow to Russia’s medal chances:

“Morozov helped Russia to a bronze in the 400 free relay in London and also won a silver in the 50 free at the 2013 World Championships. He was one of the favorites for gold in the 100 free last summer in Kazan before a false start in the semifinals took him out of the event altogether.

Morozov currently ranks ninth in the world in the 100 free with a 48.09, and a bronze medal did not seem like that much of a stretch.”

Fellow swimmer Yulia Efimova was the first recently banned athlete to announce plans to appeal the decision.

The Olympic Games begin in 11 days.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

10 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

James Tebbett

7 years ago

This is why a blanket ban was the most rational answer to this situation. You are not punishing the perpetrators, just the victims.

Kristie Wisniewski

7 years ago

If he tested clean then he should swim.

Bill Bell

7 years ago

If he’s not too bummed out and presuming the ban stands “Vlady” should go,to U.S. Open next week and set wrs in 50-100 frees, a la Jonty Skinner 40 years ago.

Skinner in 1976 was a student- athlete swimmer @ Alabama and a South African citizen too. His country was banned from competing @ the Montreal Olympics due to its odious racial policies. So…Skinner went to Philadelphia two weeks after Montreal, swam @ the AAU Championships and broke gage world- record in the 100 free that had been set @ the Olympics by American Jim Mintgomery (49.99-49.44)

Skinner’s record stood for five years until Mr. Ambrose Gaines came along and did a 49.36 @ Texas in March of ’81.

I think this Gaines fellow continued swimming after that but I can’t recall him ever winning anything of any consequence.

Leander

7 years ago

Reply to Bill Bell

And Jonty Skinner managed that feat in an incredibly slow pool too.

Tammy Lee

7 years ago

I really don’t believe anything Russia ot its athletes says anymore. I’m sorry for the truly innocent ones if there are any; however, until this is undet a control a ban is appropriate although the ban should have been for all Russian athletes.

Bruce

7 years ago

Reply to Tammy Lee

There can only be a positive or negative test. There must be proof.
You can not destroy someone’s dreams if there is no proof of cheating

Jeff

7 years ago

I wish I could believe him. However, I believed Lance Armstrong because he didn’t test positive. The best cheaters are the ones who don’t get caught. A blanket ban would have sent the best message and made this issue of individual athletes a non-issue.

Kevin

7 years ago

“Morozov was one of three athletes who FINA said were implicated in the McLaren report” => whats that report and what does that mean in terms of facts? that he cheated without testing positive?

teddyballgame

7 years ago

Reply to Kevin

They claim there are missing positive tests, some of which are his. In other words, the Russian doping control threw out a number of positive tests that would implicate athletes. the McLaren report named the people who were supposedly using, but not caught, due to Russia’s systematic subterfuge.

Kevin

7 years ago

Reply to teddyballgame

Ok thanks for the info!!