Former Norwegian biathlete OLE Einar Bjoerndalen called Alexander Loginov to issue a public apology to rivals for doping six years ago. Claims to the Russian emerged after his victory at the world Cup in Oberhof. Many Russian sportsmen have criticized these attacks. Two-time Olympic champion Anatoly Alyabyev said that usernames must prove his innocence on the track, but the conflict should be engaged in the International biathlon Union.

  • Alexander Loginov
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“You see how hard it is”

In Ruhpolding, Germany started the next stage of the biathlon world Cup, and with it a new round of scandal Alexander Loginov. However, the impression is that the discussions, which began a week ago, is gradually eroding: the statements of opponents of the Russian become softer, and some of them did not prefer to raise this subject again.

Recall that in 2015 the Alexander Loginov was suspended in connection with positive doping tests. After returning to the sport, usernames Jan 11, won the sprint race at the world Cup in Oberhof. His opponent, Olympic champion Martin Fourcade called “shame” this event once again rocked the sports community.

According to the Norwegian OLE Einar Bjoerndalen previously standing on the side of the bronze world champion in 2017, Loginov need to issue a public apology to the biathlon community. Otherwise, it will be difficult to regain the respect of peers.

“I think that the Russians should first tell everyone that he is sorry for made earlier. If he doesn’t do it, you won’t get respect from other athletes. I think that it should be a press conference, not a private conversation with someone. It should go from the heart to all the people to believe that he really regrets”, — quotes the Olympic champion “Match TV”.

With Bjoerndalen remained joint leader of the current season Johannes boe. He noted that such public statement is required primarily for the media.

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“We have no information what happened. No one knows anything. Therefore, this step will allow to stop the various rumors and speculation. If there are only the facts, you can try to forget about what happened. We, the athletes themselves are tired of these issues. It would be better if he will gather a press conference and directly answer media on all issues,” — said Be-Junior in an interview with “Sport Express”.

Unlike most critics, some athletes stated that they did not feel contempt in relation to Loginov. So, the Norwegian Willow Shosta Christiansen admitted he was sorry Russians, who could become a victim of flawed anti-doping system.

“I think that Alexander doesn’t know the half of what was taken. Probably what happened with him involved the coaches or someone higher. Anyone close to him could ask for. He believed that everything is OK, but it’s not. See how hard it is” — quoted by Christiansen NRK.

In turn, one of the main “offenders” Loginova Martin Fourcade after the race, the prosecution refused to answer the questions related with the scandal.

“No, don’t want to speak on this subject” — cut five-time Olympic champion.

“Tell her to apologize”

Logins said he was ready to personally meet anyone with him has any claim. This idea was supported by the Russian Yurlov Ekaterina-Part. She said that at the moment the athlete does not intend to respond to the attack in his address.

“If Martin have some questions for him, Sasha is ready to answer them. But only if these questions will be asked him in person, eye to eye, and not conveyed in a roundabout way, as is happening now. Start correspondence skirmish is just stupid. Especially when on the nose important competitions”, — quotes Yurlov-Part RIA Novosti.

Did the Russians continued to adhere to this tactic. In anticipation of the sprint race, he refused to give an interview to the Norwegian media, and after it asked the journalists not to raise the topic, not sports-related.

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“I don’t think about the pressure. I’m sorry, but I can now talk about race? I am ready to talk on this subject, but not now. Not 10 minutes after the finish. While the head of anything else does not think”, — he said.

Many critics Loginova require not only explanation, but apology. But according to Vice-President of the Russian biathlon Union (RBU) Sergey Chepikova, the Russians should decide to do it or not, so as his punishment he has already served.

“In my opinion, athletes should determine to speak to Alexander in competition or not, for this there are the international anti-doping rules. If someone wants to make a change — let them make suggestions, let the same Samuelsson will perform on Commission of the world anti-doping Agency (WADA) on behalf of the athletes, but to publicly judge another person is unethical, unmanly and not in sports,” said Chepikov.

A similar point of view adheres and two-time Olympic champion Anatoly Alyabyev. However, he suggested that few would agree to Express their dissatisfaction personally.

“Let Alexander did not even think to apologize to someone, it is excluded. Who are all these? He’s served his purpose, the disqualification passed with dignity, this guy’s all worried what other apology? Let them respect us, and accustomed to trample underfoot. He needs to show all only the result, and he can do it”, — quotes the words of Alyabyev TASS.

In addition, he added that the situation became so serious that the protection of logins must be the higher authorities.

“The international biathlon Union (IBU) have to say: “Enough! If a person is serving a disqualification, why provoke him?”. And SBR in the face Drachev have to say that it is time to stop kicking the guys,” concluded Alyabyev.

President biathlon Federation of St. Petersburg Dmitry Vasilyev also called biathlon authorities to take a tougher stance.

“The Constitution of the IBU are not spelled out such nuances, when the athlete is obliged to whom to justify. They are already punished and fully served the term and owes nothing. Then there is some kind of persecution,” — said the functionary.

Earlier, the head of the RBU Drachev has already stated its intention to take control of the situation into their own hands. In Russian and French media reported that he contacted the head of the IBU Olle Dahlin and soon the head of the national federations will hold discussions with their wards. But the Swede has denied this information.

In support Loginova was made by four-time Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov. He praised the athlete for stability, which shows that, despite the pressure they are under.

“Sasha is silent, I would have put them in their place. In regards to his doping past, he is not guilty, I have no doubt that he was simply forced to take a prohibited drug. Or use of EPO, or you will not be in the national team,” said the ex — biathlete.