Russia Faces Possible Olympic Ban With New Doping Allegations

Russia could be banned from the Olympics next year after new doping allegations have implicated top athletics officials, multiple news sources reported.

The allegations surround a possible cover-up of a doping issue by the world indoor high jump champion who was a favorite to win gold at Tokyo 2020 but now faces a ban of up to 10 years.

The Russian federation has denied claims of a coverup and told The Associated Press it is cooperating with an investigation into allegations its officials submitted forged paperwork in a doping case.

This latest incident comes after several alleged doping issues have been reported.

Danil Lysenko, a champion high jumper is the subject of the allegations. It is alleged he was helped by officials from the Russian Athletics Federation to avoid a ban, according to The Sunday Times.

Last year, he was suspended on accusations of failing to make himself available for drug testing by giving accurate updates on his whereabouts.

“In the case of Lysenko, the federation is providing full assistance to the Athletics Integrity Unit and we are in contact and cooperation,” federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said in a statement to The Associated Press, adding that the federation “has an interest in the investigation being objective.”

The federation didn’t comment when asked whether any of its staff were suspended, the AP reported.

The case could derail Russia’s efforts to end its suspension from international track and field in time for next year’s Olympics. Sources told The Daily Mail that if the investigation proves forgery of the documents surrounding Lysenko, Russia could be banned from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Russia has had 41 Olympic medals stripped for doping violations – the most of any country in the world.

A two-part report in 2016 proved damning for Russian sports and culminated in the Russian Olympic Committee being suspended from PyeongChang 2018.

Three Russian high jumpers who won medals at the London 2012 Olympics have been banned after testing positive for steroids.

Read the full Sunday Times story here.

Read The Daily Mail story here.

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