exclusive: Two Russian boxers competed regardless of doping bans

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Two Russian boxers serving doping suspensions have competed while banned, Reuters has found, highlighting inconsistencies in Russia's efforts to reform its anti-doping practices.

FILE image: a woman walks into the pinnacle office of the world Anti-Doping company (WADA) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada November 9, 2015. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File photo

competitors information show that Russian newbie boxers Islam Dashaev and Alena Tokarchuk fought in authentic tournaments remaining 12 months despite bans introduced through Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, which is forbidden below international anti-doping guidelines.

These lapses in the enforcement of their bans suggest that Russia, which says it has moved past its doping scandals, has yet to create an anti-doping way of life by which all dopers are sidelined.

RUSADA observed it had been ignorant of the circumstances and referred to, after Reuters requested about them, that it would investigate.

"We have no idea the explanation why these suspended athletes took part in competitions that had been held under the Russian Boxing Federation's jurisdiction and with its help," RUSADA Deputy Director regular Margarita Pakhnotskaya observed in a press release to Reuters.

"The truth such athletes participated in competitions is alarming."

Reuters was unable to attain the two boxers for comment.

Valery Karadutov, an professional from the Russian Boxing Federation who oversaw one of the competitions and signed its consequences, observed he had no longer been aware about the boxer's ban.

Tatyana Kiriyenko, a deputy head of the federation, advised TASS news company that the two boxers took half in regional competitions.

"we now have conducted an investigation, regarded at the studies. These two athletes took half in competitions, they participated in a single battle every," she is quoted as saying by using TASS.

Athletes serving doping bans are forbidden from participating in any means in competitions or activities involving elite game, in response to the guidelines of the world Anti-Doping agency (WADA).

If an athlete violates a doping ban, the period of the suspension can also be doubled.

WADA referred to it might follow up with RUSADA and "the central foreign federations" to make sure they are privy to the Reuters findings and that "the allegations are being handled appropriately."

The Russian Boxing Federation noted it became checking the cases identified by way of Reuters and would supply its assessment, devoid of featuring a time frame.

The Russian activities Ministry and the foreign Boxing affiliation (AIBA) did not reply to requests for remark.

"NO advice"

Boxer Islam Dashaev bought a four-year suspension in 2017 for doping violations that included refusing a doping verify, RUSADA information shows.

however in August 2018, he boxed in the eighty one kg class at a country wide competition held in the metropolis of Anapa on Russia's Black coastline, winning one bout and dropping an additional, in accordance with competitors facts.

A message to Dashaev's facebook web page went unread and there were no available numbers for any representatives.

The native boxing federation in Anapa did not respond to a request for remark.

RUSADA, which said the Russian Boxing Federation had been notified of the bans of both Dashaev and Tokarchuk in a well timed method, publishes a listing of athletes serving doping suspensions on its website.

but Russian Boxing Federation professional Karadutov, who become the technical delegate on the tournament where Dashaev fought, told Reuters he had not been conscious that the boxer turned into serving a doping ban.

"This counsel was now not communicated to me and to the chief judge," pointed out Karadutov, whose signature looks on every web page of the competition effects. "There is no manner for us to comply with this."

He observed there had been nothing incorrect with the forms filed for Dashaev to enter the event, giving organisers no basis to reject his entry. Reuters couldn't independently investigate Karadutov's account.

Karadutov noted an inventory of boxers banned for doping should be published on the federation's site "in large letters" and flash to draw officials' consideration.

"Then we'll be capable of comply with," he pointed out.

THIRD area

Alena Tokarchuk entire third in the 54 kg class of the Moscow boxing championship for ladies born in or earlier than 1999, held in January and February 2018, competitors facts exhibit.

however the event began per week after Tokarchuk's two-12 months ban - from Nov. 28, 2017 to Nov. 27, 2019 - changed into introduced via RUSADA on Jan. 23, 2018.

A message to Tokarchuk's fb web page went unread and there were no obtainable numbers for any representatives.

The Moscow Boxing Federation, whose stamp become on the competitors outcomes, noted it had now not been notified that she became banned on the time of the match.

Tokarchuk was suspended for trying out positive for furosemide, which is on WADA's list of prohibited diuretics and masking agents, in response to facts from RUSADA.

FILE picture: a sign is on screen outside the office of Russian Anti-Doping company (RUSADA) in Moscow, Russia March 28, 2018. graphic taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File photograph

Pakhnotskaya of RUSADA said that the number of sporting pursuits held across Russia turned into too big for "the quantity and capabilities of RUSADA personnel" whose duties include monitoring suspended athletes' compliance with their bans.

The agency turned into reinstated through WADA closing 12 months after having been suspended considering that November 2015 over proof of mass doping in Russian athletics.

Reuters suggested ultimate month that two Russian athletics coaches and one medical professional banned for doping were nonetheless working with athletes.

Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; additional reporting by means of Vladimir Soldatkin,; editing with the aid of Giles Elgood and Ed Osmond