Russia’s anti-doping agency RUSADA announced Friday they are to open an investigation into doping accusations made in a German television documentary.
“To check the validity of the facts that were shown in the German documentary film, which was broadcasted by ARD channel, RUSADA is opening its own investigation concerning the persons presented in the film and the information which they gave,” the agency statement said.
“At the end of the investigation RUSADA will publish its findings on the agency’s official site.”
The 60-minute documentary “Secret Doping Dossier: How Russia produces its Winners” was aired by state broadcaster ARD on Wednesday and pointed the finger at Russian Athletics Federation president and IAAF treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev amongst others.
The documentary featured hard-hitting accusations by 800m runner Yulia Stepanova, who is banned until January for a doping violation, and her husband Vitaly Stepanov, who worked for RUSADA between 2008 and 2011.
In a statement published on their website, the World’s Anti-Doping Agency WADA promised to “ensure that all matters raised are fully investigated.”
The statement added: “WADA has in fact already received some information and evidence of the type exposed in the documentary. All of that information has been passed to the appropriate independent body within the international federation, the IAAF. We will await the outcome of that independent body’s deliberations.
“Insofar as the particular allegations against Russian authorities and others are concerned, these will all be carefully scrutinised and if action is warranted, WADA will take any necessary and appropriate steps under the (World Anti-Doping) Code.”
The International Athletics Federation (IAAF) also released a statement, saying: “An investigation by the IAAF Ethics Commission is already ongoing with respect to some of the allegations made in the documentary.
“With regard to matters revealed in the documentary related to anti-doping and, therefore outside the scope of the Ethics Commission, these will be studied carefully and dealt with according to the relevant IAAF rules and in full co-operation with WADA.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) meanwhile issued a statement saying they had been in contact with the IAAF and is ready to act if necessary.
“These are very serious allegations and the IOC will not hesitate to take all necessary steps,” said the statement.
“The IOC Ethics Commission has asked to be kept fully informed of any issues that could fall under its jurisdiction and for which future action may be necessary.”