Seppelt - "Scandalous doping in Russia"
"Top secret doping - As Russia makes its winner" is the new film by Hajo Seppelt, who on Wednesday (12.03.2014, 18.50 clock) runs in first. Seppelt gives an insight into the doping system Russia. "I did not think that there is still a system in 2014, which has so many parallels to what in the GDR was before," says the author.
sportschau.de: Mr. Seppelt, which gave rise to tackle the issue of doping in Russia?
Hajo Seppelt: We have to delve us before the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi for the first time with the doping problem in Russia and are on a time still unknown doping substances (Full Size MGF, editor's note...) Encountered. Also, we have reported on the use of xenon in the Russian elite sport in many athletes. This meant that suddenly people reported after the games with me and I wanted to report a much greater degree of doping in Russia. Thus began research in March. That the story would evolve so, I could not expect at the time. We must assume that in Russia a state-supported doping system is with a big cover-up machine that pulls the strings in the background.
Anyone who has registered with you?
Seppelt: They were courageous whistleblowers that significant risks are discussed in order to make us the doping system explained. They told incomprehensible and provided evidence in image, sound and text.
They also spoke with Russian athletes and coaches. How this came about interviews?
Seppelt: I am back and traveled across Russia. Some wanted to talk openly, some did not dare for fear. Some have also said that they are intimidated and threatened. About Doping in Russia to speak, is dangerous. The few brave ones who veer and talk, have painted a shocking picture of the realities in the Russian elite sport.
It was at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi not a single positive doping test of Russian athletes. What is the relationship of this finding is to what you have researched?
Seppelt: The facade has little to do with the reality of something. In our film, you will see that both the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and the Doping Control Laboratory in Moscow and sporting organizations operate all obviously a system for the protection of national interests and the cover-up of doping to a significant extent seems to serve. There are so many checks in Russia than in any other country - in my view just window dressing.
They have also been investigated for doping in Kenya and China, Mexico and Belarus. For five years running their documentation under the label of "top secret doping" in the ARD. Can you ever have something shocking in terms of doping?
Seppelt: I did not think that there is still a system in 2014, which has so many parallels to what was formerly in the GDR and certainly is not a part of the heritage of the Soviet Union. All this is topped with capitalist characteristics of a commercialized elite sport that exists naturally in Russia
How important are sports achievements in these times for the Putin regime?
Seppelt: Sport is in Russia under full control of the government, the Ministry of Sports. As in any country that has to build on it to increase the image and prestige in the world of sport is an ideal instrument for self-marketing. That is why sport plays a significant role in Russia, it seeing that the Olympic Winter Games have been considered a status symbol and Russia has become the host of the World Cup 2018. I think Putin has like no other recognized in the world, as you can make it through sports policy. The dark side trying to keep it under a cover. But this is like a powder keg that must eventually explode.
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