After the lifelong suspensions for the Olympics of four other Russian cross-country skiers, President Vladimir Putin accused the US of using the doping scandal to discredit the Russian government.
“In response to our alleged disruption of their elections, they now want to cause problems in our presidential elections,”Putin said on Thursday.
After Alexander Legkov and Yevgeny Belov, the IOC had banned four other Russian cross-country skiers from participating in the Olympic Games for the rest of their lives, as the Russian Ski Federation announced on Thursday.
Most prominent athlete from this quartet is Maxim Wylegschanin (35), twice silver medal winner at the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014. In addition, Alexei Petukhov (34), World Champion 2013 in the team sprint, Julia Ivanova (32), World Championship third in 2013 with the relay, and Yevgeniya Shapovalova (31) were suspended.
Putin condemned the lockdown and said that references to sabotage were not evidence of guilt. Without mentioning the names of the cross-country skiers, the President explained that the government had never supported or covered up doping.
In next March’s presidential elections, Putin is aiming for his fourth term as head of state of Russia.