Yelena Isinbayeva accuses Britain of ‘systematic doping’ in wake of Russia’s shameful records
Two-time gold-winning pole-vaulter claims her country has been punished while GB, US, Germany and Kenya cover up
YELENA ISINBAYEVA has accused Britain of “systematic doping”.
The Russian, 33, also tried to defend her country’s right to send an athletics team to the Olympics in Rio this summer.
Two-time gold-winning pole-vaulter Isinbayeva claimed other nations — including the US, Germany, GB and Kenya — had equally bad anti-doping records as Russia.
She said they have covered it up while her federation gets punished.
It follows her vow to sue for “a violation of her human rights” if she is not allowed to compete in Brazil.
The All-Russia Athletic Federation was suspended in November following allegations of state-sponsored doping published by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
An IAAF Council meeting in Vienna on June 17 will make a final decision on their Olympic participation.
Isinbayeva, who is aiming for her fifth Games having never been implicated in a doping scandal, said: “I’m not responsible for other people’s actions. I did not break the rules.
“I have always acted honestly and I will speak honestly. I will not let anyone deprive me of those rights I deserve.
“We know that in other countries, such as USA, UK, Germany and Kenya athletes were disqualified.
“They quietly sat out two years, not stopping exercise and then came back to win and set records.
“We know there is systematic doping.”
Isinbayeva, who returned to training last year after the birth of her daughter in 2014, added: “I trained for five years abroad with another coach.
“They came to me to take a drug test and the samples were always negative.
“So why should I sit at home and not set world records?”
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Monday he assumed full responsibility over the recent chain of alleged doping scandals involving national athletes.
He said: “I have never avoided taking the blame since I am fully responsible for the development and implementation of the sports policies.
“In case something goes wrong, I bear the full responsibility and do not intend to go into hiding.”
