Russia banned by WADA

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Chris Rice
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Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:17 am

Re: Russia banned by WADA

Post by Chris Rice » Tue Dec 10, 2019 11:54 pm

David Llada, FIDE's Chief Communications Officer has responded to India's largest news service (IANS) regarding the issues above.

On Dvorkovich's position:

"Our President Arkady Dvorkovich doesn't hold any official position at the Russian government since May, 2018 (he was elected FIDE President in October, 2018). So, his position is not being questioned by this ban"

According to Llada's interpretation events that have already been awarded can go ahead which would cover World Rapid and Blitz World Championship (end of December 2019), the Women's World Championship (split between Shanghai and Vladivostok during January 2020), the Candidates tournament (scheduled for Ekaterinburg in April 2020) and the World Chess Olympiad (August 2020).

Then we have quite an interesting comment or perhaps defence against the WADA sanctions:

"Given our clean records (no chess player, Russian or otherwise, has ever tested positive) we are confident that there will be no negative consequences for Russian chess players, and minimal repercussions for FIDE itself," Llada said.

Finally on the participation of a Russian team in the Chess Olympiad, Llada was a little cagey saying: "We very much hope that Team Russia would be able to participate as it would be in line with FIDE statutes."