The Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang (9. Biathlon coach Wolfgang Pichler, who was banned until 25 February) continues to see himself as the “victim of a conspiracy” and insists that he did not know anything about doping practices during his time as a Russian coach.
When asked if he had been urged to take drugs, Pichler answered in an interview with the newspaper “Nie! The Russians are not stupid. If you want to maintain a system of doping, you have to keep the circle of acquaintances small.”
He himself was far too much of a danger for Russia because he had given up his information because of the possibility of being informed, he said,”I would have done so. I’m not afraid of consequences,”said the 62-year-old who is currently in charge of the Swedish team.
The reason for the Ruhpoldinger’s ban on the Olympics is his former occupation from 2011 to 2014 as coach of the Russian women Olga Saizewa, Olga Wiluchina and Jana Romanowa, who were banned for life by the IOC. Pichler, who called the ban a farce, announced legal action.
“My lawyer will write a letter to the IOC requesting a hearing. So far, no one has ever given me the chance to express myself,”said Pichler:”I have seen no evidence: neither that I have been involved in any way, nor a positive test result of my athletes.”
The athletes, according to Pichler, could not escape the doping practices – even if they wanted to – “If a doctor really wants to dope you, then you have no chance as an athlete. In case of doubt, the stuff will be slipped under you,”said Pichler.