The demonstration on German television of a film about the use of doping in Russian athletics is connected with the struggle for power in the International Association of Athletics Federations, says Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko

Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Vitaly Mutko (Photo: RIA Novosti)

According to Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, the new doping scandal, which erupted after the film “Doping - Top Secret: The Dark World of Athletics” was shown on German television, is connected to a power struggle in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

“Apparently, some people want to ruin athletics by releasing such films. But in any case, you can’t base an accusation on the film. Someone overheard something under the table, someone said something - this is nonsense. There are new presidential elections in August, the usual struggle for power is underway,” TASS quotes the minister.

On Saturday, August 1, the German TV channel Das Erste showed a new film accusing Russian athletes of doping. The tape names the names of track and field athletes who allegedly took illegal drugs.

to the film responded The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) . “WADA is extremely concerned about the new allegations brought by ARD, which once again call into question the integrity of athletes around the world,” said agency president Craig Reedy.

“Given the nature of these allegations, which are a continuation of allegations made in the December 2014 ARD documentary, they will be immediately referred to the independent WADA panel for further investigation,” Reedy said. “These allegations of violation of the World Anti-Doping Code require close and thorough investigation,” he emphasized.

The film, shown on German television, was the second one related to doping scandals in big-time sports. The channel showed the first film in December 2014. The channel also accused the International Association of Athletics Federations of covering up violations.

Mutko called the film about doping in Russian sports a “struggle for power”