On February 12, 2019, the Russian bobsleigh Federation and the Russian anti-doping Agency signed a bilateral cooperation agreement. The Federation was represented by the acting President Elena Anikina, RUSADA – by head of the organization Yuri Ganus.
The agreement is long-term and is aimed at systematic work in all areas of anti-doping activities and age categories, including education and investigation.
Under the agreement RUSADA will continue targeted testing of athletes of the Federation. On its side, the bobsleigh Federation provides funds to the budget for both planned anti-doping activities and contract testing. Much attention is paid to the work with the RBF athletes, both in terms of informing the responsible persons about the anti-doping rules violations, and in terms of promoting "clean sport". Especially are highlighted investigations of sudden unmotivated refusals to compete at the official starts: such cases will be investigated jointly by the RBF and RUSADA.
The RBF and RUSADA start working immediately: in the first quarter of 2019 information and educational programs should be developed to combat unfair practices in sports. The Federation has already appointed a person responsible for anti-doping support.
After signing the agreement, the head of the Russian bobsleigh Federation Elena Anikina noted:
- Anti-doping work is a priority for our Federation, and RUSADA, as one of the world's best anti-doping agencies, will help us to place the right emphasis, and athletes – honestly and worthily win medals and glorify our sport around the world.
Yuri Ganus supported the head of the Federation in the initiative fight against doping: "This agreement is extremely in time for the RBF, which will allow to normalize anti-doping activities in the Federation and – with effective organization of work – to return the trust of the international sports community not only to the Federation, but also to all Russian sports. Our task is to implement anti-doping leadership in the fight against doping in Russia and we are happy to involve in this work all clean athletes and specialists, our federations, all interested persons."
