The situation is alarming in weightlifting. There is not talks about changing coach or internal quarrels, but the situation is much more severe. The Weightlifters wrapped in doping - scandal, and the official announcement will be made in the near future.
World Championship was held in Wroclaw (Poland) on October 20-27. According to the preliminary calculations, 4 athletes of Georgia had to participate, but the Championship ended so, that none of the Georgians touched the weight.
“World Sport” learned that the national team has not even gone to Poland. The reason was seizure of doping-test, but nobody specifies this information and they even abstain to confirm it. Accordingly, it is unknown if suspected weightlifter (or weightlifters) was in the lineup, which was named for the World Championship or beyond.
To learn this information better, we contacted Pavle Kasradze, chief of Georgian Anti-Doping Agency:
- Unfortunately, doping-test showed a positive result. I will refrain from specifying, because still is such period, when the side which got doping is entitled to prove its truth – to appeal and request re-test. Typically, after these procedures the information become public.
- Is there chance that re-test will show completely different result?
- Let’s not talk about in advance
- Talks are about one sportsman or several?
- About several.
- When was the first doping-test?
- While one of the foreign competition. I cannot specify it too. The problem of doping is very serious in weightlifting. Not only in Georgia but throughout the world. I am sure the boys, who took part in the World Championship, will fall out and not only one.
“World Sport” contacted also with the National Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sports and Youth affairs. None of the structures has received an official notice about the failure of athletes, but GEONOC and Ministry already knows it. The leadership of Georgian Weightlifting Federation refrains about the official statement.
The last international competition for the Georgian weightlifting national team was Europe Championship which was held in Tirana in April. Raul Tsirekidze (85kg), Vazha Gongadze (94kg), Albert Kuzilov (105 kg), Davit Gogia (105kg) and Irakli Turmanidze (+105kg) took part in this competition. In the Europe U-20 and U-23 Championship, which was held in Tallinn at the end of September following participants were in the list of Georgia: Ramin Shamilishvili (62kg), Shota Mishvelidze (69kg), Zuriko Tavadze (77kg), Giorgi Lomtadze (77kg), Irakli Gabrichidze (77kg), Viliamin Aleksidze (105kg) and Lasha Talakhadze (+105kg).
Otar Maglakelidze
