Russia risking more punishment for its Olympic teams over refusal to admit guilt in doping

Richard McLaren’s work verifying allegations of systematic cheating by Russia at the 2014 Sochi Games has been vindicated

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Richard McLaren speaking at the 2017 world anti-doping agency annual symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland. McLaren warned that Russia risks more punishment for its Olympic athletes due to its refusal to admit guilt for doping at the Sochi Winter Olympics. Photo: Keystone via AP

Published: 6:45am, 30 Nov 2017Updated: 10:27am, 30 Nov 2017

Russian sports officials risk talking themselves into a tougher punishment for the country’s Olympic team, according to the investigator who detailed an orchestrated doping programme.

Richard McLaren’s work verifying allegations of systematic cheating by Russia at the 2014 Sochi Games has been vindicated this month by an International Olympic Committee panel that so far has found 22 winter sports athletes guilty.

However, Russian officials continue to deny that state agencies organised the doping. They have tried to shift blame onto other international sports bodies, including the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

“They are really weakening their own position,” McLaren said in a telephone interview from a conference on sports corruption one week before the IOC executive board decides how to punish Russia. “Lack of contrition, a lack of candour about what is going on definitely influences you when you are thinking about an appropriate sanction.”

Alexander Zubkov of Russia carries the national flag as he leads the team during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Two-time bobsleigh gold medallist Zubkov was removed from the 2014 records by the IOC for links to a widespread doping programme. Photo: AP

As a long-time Court of Arbitration for Sport judge, including when IOC president Thomas Bach chaired the appeals division, McLaren said lawyers typically note a refusal to accept responsibility.