RUSSIAN football is yet again in the dock with the scale of cheating planned as the hosts of their own World Cup are revealed.According to a whistle blower the Russian authorities were set to tamper with samples in order for no Russian player to test positive at the World Cup.Russia planned to swap urine samples to allow players to take whatever performance enhancing drugs they wanted, according to the Daily Mail.Those close to Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory claims it would be a carbon copy of the operation at the Sochi Winter Olympics four years ago.Rodchenkov is now in witness protection in America, having already provided damning evidence against Russian athletes.Bryan Fogel, director of Icarus, the documentary detailing Rodchenkov’s move to the states insists the testimony on football will be just a hard hitting as it was for athletics and the winter sports.It’s a potential huge headache for Fifa months before the football world … [Read more...] about Russia planned to dope own team as they host the World Cup this summer, according to sources close to whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov
Russia
Russia reinforces military presence in Crimea
Military reinforcements are being ramped up in Crimea, despite last month’s (December 2017) extension of economic sanctions on Moscow. Local media report Russia has deployed a new division of S-400 surface-to-air missiles on the peninsula, which it controversially annexed from Ukraine in 2014. "This S-400 missile launcher allows us to locate targets in the range of up to 600 km. So even when missiles reach the borders of Crimea, we will clearly see them", Major Yevgeny Markelov explained. Sevastopol MP, Dmitry Belik added: "We have seen recently more frequent threats to our territory. We have seen an attempted drone attack on our base in Tartus in Syria. So today's deployment of S-400 missile systems covers all the air space over Crimea, and it makes impossible for drones, planes or any other flying machines here." Interfax news agency quotes the Russian military as saying the new system – known as “Triumph” – can be turned into combat mode in less than … [Read more...] about Russia reinforces military presence in Crimea
Russia’s notorious Olympic doping lab is now a restaurant and tourist hotspot
Would you drink a sample from the Sochi doping lab? The building at the center of a Russia doping scandal which rocked the 2014 Winter Olympics now hosts a restaurant celebrating its notoriety amid a tourism boom. Former lab director Grigory Rodchenkov has testified to doping Russian stars and covering up for them, but four years on, the cocktails offered in the same space contain only alcohol, not steroids. There's the B Sample, named after the second test that often confirms whether a doping athlete is guilty. It's a punchy shot of tequila, sambuca and hot sauce. Meldonium, the substance for which tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive in 2016, now lends its name to a mixture of absinthe and Red Bull. Performance-enhancing? Probably not. The unusual menu is "so as not to forget the story of this building ... it's (about) history," manager Elena Dyatlova told The Associated Press, though she considers the doping scandals "really unpleasant for Russia." Rodchenkov says he served a … [Read more...] about Russia’s notorious Olympic doping lab is now a restaurant and tourist hotspot
What is Tosochka? Russia working on a powerful next-gen flamethrower on wheels
Russia is building a flamethrower for use in battle. Called the "Tosochka", it is described as a heavy flamethrowing system and will be installed on a wheeled-chassis platform. Russia's Splav Research and Production Association will build a prototype first, reported Russian news outlet Tass. "The Splav Research and Production Association is carrying out work to develop a prototype of the Tosochka new-generation heavy flamethrowing system for preliminary trials. The system with the improved characteristics will be mounted on a wheeled chassis," a release stated. At this time, it is unclear as to the size, range and even what kind of propellant the Russians are going to use in this flamethrower. It is also not clear if Russia actually plans on fielding this weapon if it passes the prototype phase. Flamethrowers, or "incendiary weapons", are not actually allowed to be used in war. According to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), weapons that are "primarily designed … [Read more...] about What is Tosochka? Russia working on a powerful next-gen flamethrower on wheels
Russia-friendly Czech president faces pro-EU rival in run-off
A clear choice lies ahead for the Czech Republic after the first leg of its presidential election. The two finalists - pro-Russia incumbent Milos Zeman and pro-EU academic Jiri Drahos - will go head to head two weeks from now. With votes from 98.9 percent of districts counted, Zeman led the first round race with 38.6 percent of votes, while Drahos had won 26.6 percent. Zeman, in office since 2013, has criticised immigration flows from Muslim countries. While most Czechs share his views on immigration, Zeman's inclination towards far-right groups and his warm relations with Russia and China have split public opinion. Having shunned public debates so far, the 73-year-old has now agreed to a television duel with his rival, saying he hopes voters can make up their own minds. Challenger Drahos, 68, looks set to pick up many votes from those who had supported now-eliminated candidates. As such, victory for him looks within reach. But Drahos is not taking anything for granted. "Now we … [Read more...] about Russia-friendly Czech president faces pro-EU rival in run-off