In the blog post inspired by Kelly Sotherton’s twitter, I was commenting on the fact that Chernova was the one who denied Sotherton a bronze medal in the Beijing, 2008, Olympics. Chernova’s results were retroactively annulled from 15 August 2009 to 14 August 2011, too late for this to have an effect on the 2008 results.
However, another British athlete was most unhappy about how Chernova’s ban was handled. Jessica Ennis-Hill,
the London, 2012, heptathlon Olympic champion, was beaten by Chernova in the Daegu, 2011 World championships who were held just two weeks after the end of the retroactive cancelling of Chernova’s results. Moreover Chernova has been banned, again retroactively, from 22 July 2013 which means that she can, in principle, participate at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Olympics.
Ennis has trouble understanding this decision and has asked the IAAF to reconsider the matter.
“I am hoping they will revisit Daegu because I can’t understand how that is fair. Steroids can have an effect on your body for years. It’s so frustrating, although frustration isn’t a strong enough word, because you train hard for all those years and then people do things like that. It doesn’t seem like Chernova has served a ban."
she said, adding,
“We need to be really strict and harsh. If you are cheating, you’re out. I don’t think you should be allowed to come back and keep your medals.”
My bet is that Chernova will be allowed to participate at the Rio Olympics. The only person, banned for doping issues, who was expelled from the Games was Katerina Thanou. For well known cheaters like Gatlin the Olympic red carpet is repeatedly unfolded. So, why not for Chernova?
However, another British athlete was most unhappy about how Chernova’s ban was handled. Jessica Ennis-Hill,
the London, 2012, heptathlon Olympic champion, was beaten by Chernova in the Daegu, 2011 World championships who were held just two weeks after the end of the retroactive cancelling of Chernova’s results. Moreover Chernova has been banned, again retroactively, from 22 July 2013 which means that she can, in principle, participate at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Olympics.
Ennis has trouble understanding this decision and has asked the IAAF to reconsider the matter.
“I am hoping they will revisit Daegu because I can’t understand how that is fair. Steroids can have an effect on your body for years. It’s so frustrating, although frustration isn’t a strong enough word, because you train hard for all those years and then people do things like that. It doesn’t seem like Chernova has served a ban."
she said, adding,
“We need to be really strict and harsh. If you are cheating, you’re out. I don’t think you should be allowed to come back and keep your medals.”
My bet is that Chernova will be allowed to participate at the Rio Olympics. The only person, banned for doping issues, who was expelled from the Games was Katerina Thanou. For well known cheaters like Gatlin the Olympic red carpet is repeatedly unfolded. So, why not for Chernova?
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