Russian Rowing Association is likely to be banned for up to four years and missed the Beijing Olympic Games after three rowers violated the FISA anti-doping code, FISA president Dennis Oswald said in Munich on Thursday.

 

"I don't believe the athletes do it themselves. There must be someone behind them," said Oswald referring to the intravenous infusion committed by Russian rowers this year.

 

A FISA doping hearing panel decided two-year bans Tuesday on the three Russian rowers Vladimir Varfolomeev, Denis Moiseev and Svetlana Fedorova. The reason was they had committed intravenous infusion which is in violation of the anti-doping provisions of the FISA rules.

 

"If no medical reasons behind it, it's likely for us to take a sanction against Russian rowing association, which includes suspension of the Association for a period of time."

 

According to FISA rules, up to four cases on anti-doping violation can lead to a ban on the national association.

 

Oswald confirmed the fact that no prohibited substance found in the test, but the intravenous injection without medical reason was enough to be banned as FISA rules entitle.

 

Oswald reserved his attitude on banning Russian association. "We must be conscious on this. It depends on what we learn in future which is something with consequence," said Oswald.

 

"Those qualified would be disqualified if their association is banned for the Beijing Olympic Games," added Oswald.

 

The investigation came out from a bag outside a hotel resided by the Russian team after Luzern World Cup on July 15 this year.

 

FISA found needles and blood samples in the bag, and then sent the bag to Lausanne laboratory for test.

 

On July 23, the lab had the first DNA test and compared the type with those blood samples reserved from rowers worldwide.

 

The targets were streamlined to three Russian rowers. When FISA raised the suspicion on the three lately banned Russian rowers, they admitted they had done this before FISA showed them the test results, according to FISA executive director Matt Smith.

 

Oswald stood firm to seek the people behind the case and waited to hear reply from Russian rowing association. "I am waiting to hear from Russian association. If a person responsible, the person will be punished severely," said Oswald.

 

"First reason to impose bans on Russians is if it's a medical treatment, it needs to have a medical certificate. They should be in a position to provide that, and if it's an acute medical situation, a doctor should do it for them instead of doing it themselves and in bunch," Oswald reasoned.

 

As Oswald suggested, Russian team leader and coach accepted FISA's decision of banning three athletes in very professional way.

 

After making any decision over doping, FISA will inform the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). If WADA has disagreement over the decision, they can appeal to the Arbitration Court of Sports and the Russian rowing association has a right to do the same.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2007)