Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Fires Walk Coach Investigated for Doping

Russia has cut a coach from its track and field team for next month's European championships after anti-doping authorities started investigating him, a top official says.

Viktor Chegin turned Russia's race-walking team into one of the world's strongest over the past decade, but last week the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) said it was investigating him and his team.

That follows repeated doping test failures by Russian walkers, most recently Olympic and world champion Yelena Lashmanova, banned for two years last month.

Russian Athletics Federation head Valentin Balakhnichev was quoted by the Sovetsky Sport newspaper as saying Chegin would not be part of the team for the European championship, as the recent doping scandals had "tarnished Chegin's career" but said the coach would continue to train athletes in Russia.

See also:

Menchov Banned Over Doping Violations — UCI

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more