[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he shameful truth hidden so well under the world’s eyes has finally been revealed: Russian doping in the Olympics and their dirty secrets behind it.
It has been discovered that more than 1000 Russians participated in the state doping program from 2011~2015 that applies to medalists from over 30 sport factions.
As Richard McLaren puts it, ”It was a cover-up that evolved from uncontrolled chaos to an institutionalised and disciplined medal-winning conspiracy.” The culture of cheating and usage of performance enhancing drugs culminated in Russia by the government and coach, where they normalise the practice as a necessary step in any athletic game. But how did they manage to deceive the officials until now?
Delving into the forefront of the matter, the Russians have used distinct methods to cunningly use the drugs and manage to escape the eyes of the officials. They mixed in instant coffee brew and salt into their urine samples to conceal the drugged urine and swapped urine samples. The Russian Federal Security Service would freeze clean urine samples in the freezer and smuggle in the samples for investigation by disguising themselves and swapping the ones drugged with the clean ones.
In a flailing attempt to defend themselves, the Russian government insisted that the doping scandal was a false allegation made against them. Igor Lebedev, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament and a member of the executive committee of the Russian Football Federation, said: “This is yet another torrent of lies, disinformation, rumours and fables.”
Eventually, we have found DNA inconsistencies from the samples as well as scratches on the inside of the cap that indicated the swapping. Much action has been implemented like the ban of Russians competing in the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in September. Anyone found guilty of endorsing the drugs faces a fine of up to $11,400 or a prison sentence of three years and a suspension from further professional input for up to five years. Yet, more action anxiously awaits the Russian officials and players to fully hold them accountable for their deceitful actions. Russia has a long way to go in cleaning up their mess and sullied image.
