Interview with Fritz Sörgel on doping

DW: Mr. Sörgel, the IOC's executive board has decided against imposing a ban on Russian athletes. Was this a missed opportunity in the battle against doping?

Fritz Sörgel: Absolutely! It is a real pity, particularly in view of the obvious public support that a ban would have received, not in Russia of course, but in many other countries. So this really was a big missed opportunity. On the other hand, the decision wasn't completely unexpected.

Just after the IOC announced its decision, you spoke of a "disgusting, collusive game." Was this decision reached in consultation between the IOC, Russia and the international sports federations?

Well, we assume that there was no telephone conference between them (laughs). Seriously though, there are less than two weeks to go before the start of the Olympics in Rio. If we compare this to other cases, it usually takes much longer to accuse or find an athlete innocent or guilty. And that long process now needs to be completed within a few days? An athlete is now supposed to be able to produce documents, showing that he or she is "clean" within the space of less than two weeks? In my view, this is a collusive game, for which you do not have to meet in secret.

Do you believe, that the decision would have been different if a smaller country had been the focus of these accusations?

Yes, the focus was also on Kenya, for example. There, it would have been much easier, with all of the bias involved. However, to be fair, Russia was also confronted with a lot of bias. It would be interesting, if a similar scandal were to happen in the United States.

Julia Stepanova, who was previously found guilty of doping acted as something of a crown witness in the process of uncovering state-sponsored doping in Russia. The IOC has banned her from the Rio Games, arguing that she doesn't live up to "the ethical requirements of an Olympic athlete." However, US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who has also been previously found guilty of doping will be allowed to compete. Is this a double standard?

What it amounts to is impudence. Of course, she tested positive, so I see the problem. But everything we know about the scandal was due to the work of Stepanova, her husband and (German journalist) Hajo Seppelt. To argue now, that she isn't ethically fit is probably the worst aspect of all in this affair.

Could this decision act as a deterrent for other athletes considering taking similar action to Stepanova?

Yes, it could. (IOC President Thomas) Bach has emerged unscathed, at least for now, for we don't know whether the final word has been spoken in this affair. This athlete is banned and the Russians are in the game. So it all works out, doesn't it?

You mentioned Thomas Bach. Will this decision come back to haunt the IOC one day?

Predictions are always difficult. You've to look at the IOC as a who, with all of the allegations that it has had to deal with. It could be that in certain countries, where doping is regarded more critically, such as Germany, that something could develop that would be to the IOC's disadvantage.

Looking towards the future, did this decision amount to a "carte blanche" for dopers?

I wouldn't say so. The decision will have an impact, especially in smaller countries where such systems are implemented in an amateurish manner. Of course, there are some doping athletes whom you simply cannot change. But there are also enough others who think about what they're doing and are bound to consider the possibility that 'if I'm unlucky, everything will come to light, and on a large scale.' It's obvious that a doping athlete has to legislate for this, however Russia's case is of a different dimension. When you are part of such a big system, you aren't likely to attract attention quickly or easily.

All of these new doping cases coming to light must be disenchanting to someone like yourself. Has this made it more difficult to keep up the fight?

Actually it hasn't. I think it has likely taken more of a toll on people who are directly linked to sports. As an outside observer who deals with doping in a scientific context, you maintain a certain distance. But of course I am annoyed by such things.

To wrap up, what are your hopes for the battle against doping, and the IOC?

Well, of course one would like to see the IOC react to such a scandal in the manner it really should react. This opportunity has been missed, but there will be more in the future and it won't be as easy for the IOC to wiggle out of things then.

Fritz Sörgel is the director of the Institute for Biomedial and Pharmaceutical Research in Nuremberg. Until 2007, he was member of the Anti-Doping-Commission in the German Federation of Cyclists (BDR).

The interview was conducted by Kai Bülter.