ST. PETERSBURG, November 27. /TASS/: The Kremlin is concerned about proposals for more sanctions against Russian sports, but at the same time believes it is too early to comment on them before a final decision has been made.
"Let’s stay soberly-minded. This news is worrisome. We express regret in this connection," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday.
"I believe it is impossible and premature to make any comments, let alone far reaching ones, before these recommendations [by WADA’s compliance committee to the organization’s Executive Committee to declare the Russian Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA non-compliant with the organization’s code and to take a number of sanctions against Russian sports] have taken the form of some decision," Peskov said.
He is certain that the Russian sports authorities’ cooperation with the international sports community will continue.
"The Russian sports authorities have been, are and will be open to cooperation with the international sports community and WADA to the maximum extent," he said. "Detailed explanations were given to all questions that Russia was asked before."
"I am certain that this cooperation will be continued," Peskov said.
He acknowledged: "We’ve really found ourselves in a situation where WADA’s compliance committee issued unhappy recommendations. The WADA Executive Committee will consider them later, in December."
Preparations for all international sports competitions in Russia are going ahead as planned, Peskov said, responding to a question on whether the 2023 Summer Universiade in Yekaterinburg will be held and if the Kremlin is considering relocation of the event and organizing alternative competitions.
"We do not know what WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency - TASS) decisions will be, so far it was only recommendation of a committee," Peskov stressed. "For now, all the events are being prepared as planned, there is a wide range of events on the agenda," he added. "It is premature to say what will happen after a certain decision is delivered," the spokesman concluded.
Earlier, Leonid Rapoport, Sports Minister of the Sverdlovsk Region where Yekaterinburg is situated, announced that the city is preparing for the 2023 Summer Universiade as planned in spite of the possibility of WADA imposing sanctions on the Russian sport.
On Monday, WADA’s compliance committee advised the organization’s Executive Committee to declare the Russian Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA non-compliant with the organization’s Code and also to take a number of actions against Russian sports, including a four-year ban on the participation of Russian athletes in international tournaments under the national flag and on all international competitions in Russia’s territory. The WADA Executive Committee is to pronounce its verdict on December 9.
