Russian Triathlon Federation sanctioned for one year by World Triathlon

World Triathlon has put forward a number of measures as part of a one-year sanction of the Russian Triathlon Federation “due to the significant number of doping cases in Russia.”

Three Russian triathletes involved in doping violations since August 10

According to a release from World Triathlon today the sections include:

• The Russian Triathlon Federation will reach an agreement with RUSADA to test all Russian athletes, especially all those athletes who will be competing internationally.
• The Russian Triathlon Federation will, together with World Triathlon, create an education plan for Russian athletes and coaches in regard to doping issues.
• The Russian Triathlon Federation will compensate and refund the prize monies previously awarded to the Russian triathletes sanctioned with doping offences.
• Russian Triathlon Federation officials must resign from any World Triathlon and European bodies for the period of one year.
• The Russian Triathlon Federation cannot organise any World or European Triathlon events for one year (until the end of 2022).
• The Russian National Federation is to reimburse World Triathlon for all costs (including but not limited to laboratory fees, hearing expenses and travel) related to any of the violations of the Anti-Doping Rules committed by their athletes and coaches.
• Sanctions must be taken inside the Russian National Triathlon Federation for any coach or official that is involved in any doping violation, and collaboration must be made with World Triathlon disciplinary bodies.

Issues around “state sponsored” doping in Russia led the International Olympic Committee to officially ban the country from competing in the Olympics, but athletes were allowed to compete as part of the “Russian Olympic Committee” at the Games. It will be interesting to see how this move by World Triathlon will affect the Russian federation – based on today’s sanctions the federation will be expected to reimburse the international governing body for a number of expenses and prize money, making this more than just a symbolic gesture.