FISA calls for fresh elections of Russian Rowing Federation

The International Rowing Federation, FISA's Executive Committee is assessing the latest situation with the Russian Rowing Federation in which nine anti-doping code violations have taken place in a twelve-month period. The results of this assessment could be the suspension of the entire Russian Rowing Federation for up to four years.

According to FISA’s Anti-Doping Rules (Article 12.3.1.1), if there are eight or more violations in a twelve-month period, the FISA Executive Committee may elect to take additional disciplinary actions against the National Federation including suspension of membership for a period of up to four (4) years which would make all athletes and officials ineligible for FISA events including the Olympic Games.

Before taking this decision, the Executive Committee will take into account any steps taken by the Russian Rowing Federation in the next days to correct the situation. This was communicated to the Russian Rowing Federation President in a letter on 7 February 2008.

In this letter, the Executive Committee has offered to the Russian Rowing Federation the opportunity to attempt to reduce the full sanctions by holding new elections of the Board of Directors of the Russian Rowing Federation before 31 March 2008 and appointing new team and administrative staff.

The Executive Committee has informed the Russian Federation that following specific actions would have to take place:

1. An Extraordinary General Assembly of the Russian Rowing Federation before 31 March 2008 to be monitored by observers from FISA;

2. All necessary steps taken to hold new elections for all positions on the Russian Rowing Federation before 31 March 2008;

3. No present office holders will be eligible to stand in these elections;

4. All members of the administrative staff, the coaching staff and the team medical staff would be reviewed by FISA before approval is granted to participate in FISA activities.

The Russian Rowing Federation has been given until 15 February 2008 to confirm it will hold these elections. Only once this confirmation has been received by FISA, will the Executive Committee release its final decision on the disciplinary actions against the Federation.

Currently, the decision of 29 January 2008 in which a ban on all officials of the Russian Rowing Federation from taking part in FISA activities, is in force. It applies during any international regattas including the FISA Team Cup in Seville which will take place in February. Any team officials of the Russian Rowing Team are not allowed in the “regatta area” of an international regatta.