WHEN the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) detailed widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs by Russian athletes in a report last autumn, Russian sporting officials employed their government’s usual diplomatic tactics and called it “a political hit job”. As with the economic sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea, Russia portrayed doping allegations as an unjust Western attempt to keep their country down. A majority of Russians told the state-run polling agency that doping accusations against Russia were politically motivated; only 6% believed it was about cleaning up sport.
Yet now, with a decision due from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on June 17th on whether to allow Russian track-and-field athletes to compete in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Russia has softened its tone. Writing last month in the Sunday Times, Vitaly Mutko, the sports minister, apologised for “serious mistakes”. A Western public-relations firm, Burson-Marsteller, has been brought on to coach prickly Russian officials in charm. The message during a recent press tour of anti-doping facilities was...Continue reading
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