If I am asked, I will do this. My own personal ambitions are not higher than those of Russia, therefore if they tell me: It is your fault, get your things and go, I will get my things and go without a question.

Valentin Balakhnichev

Categorized in : Sports

Following the court's decision, ARD do not have to issue a retraction, as they are from Germany and the court process was in Russia, however, Russian law can now let us say that all the information in this film is a lie. This is a big step forward in defending our interests and our rights.

Valentin Balakhnichev

Apart from Lashmanova, two other sportsmen also competed who had no right to do so -- Sergei Bakulin and Yekaterina Medvedeva, we have sent all three an official letter and we are waiting for their responses as well as (those of) the organizers of the competition.

Valentin Balakhnichev

This incident is connected with separate sportsmen and not our federation, i cannot run after everyone and make sure they are not breaking the rules.

Valentin Balakhnichev

The coaches have even more responsibility than the sportsmen, they should be more actively making sure that the anti-doping controls from (Russia's anti-doping agency) RUSADA are being enforced. We should be concentrating our focus on particular individuals and not on particular sports.

Valentin Balakhnichev

The IAAF has already got in touch with us and on Monday we must send them some official documents, including photographic evidence. We will comply with this request.

Valentin Balakhnichev

I sent a letter today to the President of the The IAAF, Lamine Diack, with the offer of temporarily ceasing to work as treasurer and as a member of the council of this organization.

Valentin Balakhnichev

The federation believe the documentary was a provocation aimed at discrediting Russian sport, after watching the documentary we immediately began to doubt how authentic and believable the material they edited was. We see this film ... as a planned attempt to create an ugly scandal within Russian athletics and Russian sport in general.

Valentin Balakhnichev