A reader submitted this article where Sergey Syrtsov, president of the Russian Weightlifting Federation, discusses Slivenko, Klokov and Akkaev. Syrtsov’s finds some pretty harsh words:
“Даже не так обидно с Аккаевым, потому что ему действительно была проведена операция уже в Лондоне, а Клоков и Сливенко очень сильно подвели команду.”
Translation:
The situation is not as sorry with Akkaev because it is true that he was operated on in London, but Klokov and Slivenko very seriously let the team down.
This reads as if he is suggesting that neither Silvenko nor Klokov was really injured…
Update: You guys are probably right. Syrtsov was probably upset that they hid their injuries.
He also praises Apti, but does not mention the coaching error that cost him the gold. No surprise there.
Update: In another interview Syrtsov explicitly said that it was not because of doping and that we shouldn’t expect to see Klokov before the next Russian cup.
Update: In another interview Rigert partly blames the issue on the uneducated doctors who were not skilled enough to diagnose Dmitry’s knee injury.
It should just be accepted that all top level lifters take something or have taken something. Have many past or current champions have used chemicals to do the things they have done? Maybe all? I love seeing crazy weights being lifted just as much as the other guy but it should be a level playing field for all. They should possibly increase the allowable testosterone ratio. Too many bans, “withdrawals” at these Olympics for me.
How much would shankle or north lift is the testing wasn’t as strict in the states?
yea like the way they train its just impossible to not take anything and produce high results…it just pisses me off that they have to cover up with injuries or food mix in…just man the fuck up and take responsibility
No need to jump to conclusions they are saying they are just upset they hid the injuries. Nowhere does it suggest they were not really injured. I hope to see both of them lifting at next years world championships.
The interview implies that Slivenko and Klokov bid their injuries to avoid being pulled out of the team, hence he is disappointed that they put their own interested ahead I those of the Russian team. There is no suggestion that there were really no injuries.
That should say hid their injuries