Cycling: The McLaren report on the doping scandal in Russian cycling, published today, comes to the conclusion that 580 positive doping samples were covered up by Russian federations, 26 of which are believed to be related to cycling. However, it is not yet known which professionals are involved and in what context the tests took place.
The doping scandal surrounding Russian professional sport is spreading. The McLaren Report, which was eagerly awaited in many places, was published today and came to a devastating and shocking conclusion: According to this, a total of 2012 doping cases have been covered up by the Russian authorities since 580 and the samples have been swept under the table. In a brief statement, WADA renewed its call for Russian athletes to be excluded from the Rio Olympics.
From 2012-2015, the Moscow Lab made 26 positive cycling tests disappear.
— Mikkel Condé v2.0 (@mrconde) July 18, 2016
26 of the 580 doping offenses would probably relate to cycling and would have occurred between 2012 and 2015, reports sports journalist Mikkel Condé on Twitter. Although this accounts for only 4,5% (the most doped areas according to the report were track and field and weightlifting), this report should once again cause a great deal of concern - and not only in relation to Russian cyclists.
A decision on whether Russian athletes – including cyclists – will be allowed to start in Rio in August can be expected in the next few days.