MINSK, 28 August (BelTA) – Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky commented to the media on a temporary disqualification of Belarusian athlete Maryna Arzamasava due to anti-doping rule violations, BelTA has learned.
“This is simply a bolt from the blue. We cannot even find words to explain what is happening. It is a total shock for Maryna and the Belarusian Athletics Federation. Our federation does not tolerate doping and we conduct preventive measures among athletes on a regular basis. As for the big sport, only a suicider would do such things, taking into account the close attention to Belarusian athletes from international organizations. We are working hard to restore the trust to our athletes and it is currently at a very high level,” Vadim Devyatovsky said.
According to Vadim Devyatovsky, the federation is fostering an anti-doping culture in sport. Maryna Arzamasava is under a constant doping control in the international pool. Any changes in her movement are registered in a special system. The athlete's tight competition schedule rules out any possibility of doping. Moreover, Maryna Arzamasava has never been involved in scandals of the kind throughout her many-year sport career.
“We are currently talking about a possible violation. Today we have an accusation, but it still needs to be proved. A special commission has been set up to look into the matter very carefully. This is not just about Maryna Arzamasava. This is about the reputation and cleanness of our federation,” Vadim Devyatovsky said. In his words, Maryna Arzamasava will ask to open sample B and request information about sample A.
The chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation asked not to rush to judgements. At the moment, the Belarusian athlete is acting in accordance with the regulations within the framework of her rights to get familiar with the details of the case. If the samples are positive, the question will be raised as to how such a situation could have happened with such a tight competitive schedule, given the fact that Belarusian athletes are regularly tested.
As it has been earlier reported, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has temporary disqualified Belarusian athlete Maryna Arzamasava due to anti-doping rule violations.
Maryna Arzamasava is the 2015 world champion in 800m and also the 2014 European champion in the same event.
