Doping:Is it just the Russian athletes?

Earlier today, one of the greatest pole vaulters the world has seen, Yelena Isinbayeva, was banned from competing at the Olympics in Rio. However, the athlete has been barred from the Olympics without any suggestion that she was part of the culture of cheating towards glory that brought shame to Russian sports.

The three-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold winner has directed her anger toward Russian officials who, she says, failed to defend her. The pole-vaulter claims that she is facing harsh consequences despite never resorting to underhanded measures to win glory for her country. Indeed, Isinbayeva and her coach, Evgeny Trofimov, revolutionized the sport. This was a team that was lightyears ahead of the trailing pack, which is why it is such a shame that Brazil won’t see this living legend compete.

It should be noted that Russia’s own officials are the ones responsible for bringing the athletes somuch shame. And, judging by the lack of action taken, things don’t look hopeful— not right now, anyway!

Sports minister Vitaly Mutko — an old friend of Vladimir Putin — has somehow managed to keep his position even though a harrowing report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found his ministry to be the orchestrator of the scandal. It is highly unlikely that Mr. Mutko, who also happens to be the president of the Russian Football Federation and the chief organizer of the 2018 World Cup, did not know what was going on in his office.

Next in line is Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the man entrusted with the task of testing the athletes for banned substances, who has now left Moscow and resides in the U.S.out of fear for his safety. Dr. Rodchenkov was at the heart of the state-sponsored doping program, where around 1,400 samples taken from Russian athletes were destroyed as authorities attempted to cover the mess. According to investigators, athletes were extorted for money while the state security services also exercised their authority to make their point.

The infamous doctor is now the whistle-blower and has admitted that he was a vital cog in this orchestrated program during the Winter Olympics in Sochi two years ago. The doctor claims to have destroyed around 100 urine samples and supplied a cocktail of banned drugs to several athletes — actions that have destroyed many careers and reputations.

Russia topped the table in Sochi while the doctor was awarded the prestigious Order of Friendship by Putin.

The issue has been a serious public relations fiasco for Russia, with the country now embarking on a PR exercise aimed at improving its tarnished reputation. This week, the British newspaper the Telegraphwas invited to witness the country’s attempts at stamping out doping.

There are still those who make a strong point that the reports have been falsified.

Yuriy Borzakovskiy is a hero in his country. The former 800m runner has won all possible accoladesand is now the head coach of the country’s athletics team. The former runner does not find the report interesting.

“The report itself contains a lot of allegations but not many facts,” Borzakovskiy says with a smile and a shrug of his muscular shoulders. “I believe in reality… What is written there is too much fantasy.”

Nevertheless, this issue has become a serious one and needs to be sorted out by the concerned authorities. And if it is not solved, it will once again be at the heart of debates when Russia prepares to host the next FIFA World Cup.