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A German documentary has presented evidence to back-up serious allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russian athletics.
The 60-minute documentary Secret Doping Dossier: How Russia produces its Winners was aired by state broadcaster ARD and points the finger at Russian Athletics Federation president and IAAF treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev among others.
It presents hard-hitting accusations by 800m runner Iuliia Stepanova, who is banned until January for a doping violation, and her husband Vitali Stepanov, who worked for Russia's Anti-doping Agency Rusada between 2008 and 2011.
According to the documentary, the couple have left Russia due to their allegations.
"You cannot achieve your goals without doping. You have to dope, that's how it is in Russia," insists Stepanov.

	You cannot achieve your goals without doping. You have to dope, that's how it is in Russia

	Vitali Stepanov
His wife backs up his claims and paints a bleak picture of doping in Russia.
Common practises include athletes travelling under an assumed name to avoid being tested, while only those who have not yet failed doping tests are allowed to travel to major competitions.
"If an athlete is caught doping, they [the system] just discard them and take a new one," said Stepanova.
The 28-year-old backs up her statements with footage she secretly recorded of numerous Russian functionaries, including athletics coach Alexei Melnikov, which includes her being offered anabolic steroids in one clip.
"Most athletes dope, around 99 per cent. And you get everything. The least detectable the drug, the more expensive it is," said discus thrower Yevgeniya Pecherina in one clip.
Stepanov insists Russian government agencies control Rusada's testing and he says unknown athletes are allowed to be caught, while failed doping tests of famous athletes are ignored.
Rusada's managing director Nikita Kamaev has already rejected the allegations.
David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), described the findings as "shocking".
"What we need to do now is to address these things fearlessly, but also to ensure that those who have already been fearless will be protected," he said.


German documentary claims to lift lid on Russian doping

ARD appeared to show Olympic 800-meter champion Maria Savinova admitting to using the banned steroid oxandrolone in an undercover video that has the woman’s face out of focus. Photo: AP

IOC promises action if Russian doping claims are proven true

The world athletics governing body IAAF has referred allegations made about systematic doping in Russian sport to an independent ethics committee. Photo: EPA

Mariya Savinova during the medal ceremony for the women's 800m race of the 14th IAAF World Championships at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia. Savinova was seen in a mobile phone video clip in the documentary 'Top secret doping - how Russia makes its winners', saying: 'How else are we meant to do it? That's our system, and in Russia it only works with pharma.' Photo: EPA

French sports daily L’Equipe reported that Liliya Shobukhova, who won the Chicago Marathon from 2009-11 and the London race in 2010, paid the Russian athletics federation 450,000 euros to cover up a positive doping case.

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Explosive footage points to systematic programme of cheating


German documentary claims to lift lid on Russian doping

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Explosive footage points to systematic programme of cheating

Explosive footage points to systematic programme of cheating