MOSCOW, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin has said athletes granted TUEs for banned substances should be excluded from major competitions as it gives them an unfair advantage, informs AP.
“We need to understand what to do about (TUEs) otherwise we could soon face all records and victories going only to people who are ill with, let’s say, chronic illnesses,” said Putin, speaking at a sports forum in Russia.
Putin added that all TUEs should be made visible to the public. “If athletes don’t want their medical status made public, “then they shouldn’t be competing in high-level sport,” he said.
US Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart called Putin’s comments “laughable.”
