Russian Head Coach Valentina Rodioneko Claims That Verniaiev Being Ukrainian Helped Having His Doping Ban Reduced

The head coach of the Russian national team Valentina Rodionenko said that Ukrainian gymnast Oleg Verniaiev was able to get doping ban from ...

The head coach of the Russian national team Valentina Rodionenko said that Ukrainian gymnast Oleg Verniaiev was able to get doping ban from four years to two because of his nationality.

"I consider the decision to reduce the disqualification of Verniaiev an outrage. If he was wrongly punished, then he must be acquitted. What is a half solution?" Rodionenko questioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision.

"I have no doubt that his belonging to Ukraine in some way influenced the decision to reduce the sentence. Now in the West only Russia is to blame for everything. Maybe they will still accuse Russia of Verniaiev using a banned drug?"

In August 2020, Verniaiev tested positive for the banned substances meldonium in an out-of-competition, which led to his four year ban. This week, he got cleared to compete after appealing for the suspension.