Recently, under the auspices of the Athletes’ Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the first Global Athletes’ Forum was held in Canada. The forum discussed the development of an Anti-Doping Charter aimed at protecting the rights of clean athletes. With regret and surprise, we must note that no Russian athletes or members of the Athletes’ Commission of the Russian Olympic Committee were invited to this event.
Regardless of the motives of the organizers, who described this forum as global, holding it without the participation of representatives of a country that in recent years has implemented the most extensive anti-doping reforms—and has done so with maximum transparency—appears, from our point of view, cynical.
Very recently, on June 1, with the assistance of the Athletes’ Commission of the Russian Olympic Committee, the First Young Olympians Forum was held in Moscow. It was entirely dedicated to anti-doping issues, and the active participation of representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA in this event was organic, logical, and effective.
Through practical measures, we strive to do everything possible to consolidate global efforts in the fight against doping. Meanwhile, the Global Forum—intended to serve the same purpose—by demonstratively excluding a number of participants in the Olympic Movement from its scope, in effect pushes the athletes’ community toward division.
Protecting the rights of clean athletes is of paramount importance. We would like to emphasize: the rights of all clean athletes, without discrimination on the basis of nationality or affiliation with any particular country.
At the First World Olympians Forum in 2015, a declaration in support of the Olympic Charter was unanimously signed on behalf of athletes from all continents. Among other things, it stated the inadmissibility of any external interference in global sporting processes. Today, unfortunately, the Olympic principles of respect and mutual understanding are once again becoming hostages to political circumstances.
For its part, the Athletes’ Commission of the Russian Olympic Committee expresses hope that in the near future cooperation among all interested parties will be built on an equal and constructive basis. We are convinced that only through joint efforts can reliable protection of the rights of clean athletes be ensured. This is our common goal.
