IPF Press Release

Suspension of the Russian and Ukrainian Powerlifting Federation

The Russian and Ukrainian Powerlifting Federation have been suspended by decision of the Executive Committee of the International Powerlifting Federation for all international competitions and records from 1^st September 2006 until 31^st December 2007.

This suspension which is according to the IPF Anti-Doping Rules 12.6/12.6.1 has become necessary in the light of an extremely high number of positive doping cases from lifters of these two countries at International and European Championships and Out-of-Competition tests run by independent anti-doping agencies at the Russian and Ukrainian National Powerlifting Championships in 2006.

The IPF’s big concern on this regard was enhanced by the fact that in November 2005 in Miami an agreement has been negotiated with the Presidents of the two Powerlifting Federations to enforce the Anti-Doping Rules in their countries but no sign of compliance with this agreement was ever received.

Beside the suspension for international competitions and records the Russian and Ukrainian Powerlifting Federation has to demonstrate to the IPF EC latest on 31^st December 2007 that they have established a domestic in- and out-of-competition testing programme complying with the standards of the WADA Code and the IPF Anti-Doping Rules. The adequacy of these programmes shall be determined by the IPF EC. On request the IPF will support the two federations in this matter to achieve the necessary testings.

Beginning with 1^st January 2008 the Russian and Ukrainian Powerlifting Federation will start into a one year of probation. If in 2008 one (or more) Russian or Ukrainian lifters should commit any Anti-Doping Rule violation the Russian or Ukrainian Powerlifting federation would be suspended for one more year.

Since January 2004 the IPF is a signatory of the WADA Code and therefore one of our most important goals is the fight against doping. Therefore the IPF is spending almost 30 % of its budget for doping controls and educational activities.

Irrespective of the two federations the IPF will observe other member federations as well and will take actions if this seems to be necessary.

Detlev Albrings

IPF General Secretary