Meldoni: scandals, rumors, investigations
Large-scale scandal associated with meldonium, is gaining momentum. Because of him, Russia has already lost several leading athletes. More than one hundred positive doping samples recorded.
On September 30, 2015, meldonium (MILDRONAT) was added to the Prohibited List of Substances and Methods of the 2016 World Anti-Doping Agency. It is added to class S4 (Hormones and metabolic modulators).
Reception should be excluded both in the competitive and in the out-of-competition periods. From January 1, 2016, the detection in the athlete’s sample of a given substance is a violation of the anti-doping rules.
Forbidden List 2016
Speech by sports doctor Mikhail Petrovich Lagutin
Why do you need meldonium?
Meldonium is a metabolic agent that normalizes the energy metabolism of the heart and other organs. It is prescribed for disorders of the cardiovascular system, changes in the conductivity of the myocardium and other disorders.
Under conditions of increased load, the drug restores the balance between the delivery and the need of cells for oxygen. It protects cells from damage, eliminating the accumulation of toxins. When taking meldonium the body is able to cope with the load and quickly recover.
Meldony (mildronat) is produced in Latvia by the company “Grindex”. The drug is exported to Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former USSR. In Western countries, it is not licensed. For a long time, meldonium was not considered doping and was popular among athletes. So, Maria Sharapova admitted that she had used the drug for about 10 years quite legally – for medical reasons.
The inventor is at a loss
The inventor of the drug, academician Ivars Kalvins believes that meldonium has no place at all in the Forbidden List of WADA. He was indignant and offended when he learned the news about the new doping rules. The professor considers the prohibition of mildronata a crime against human rights, because we have the right to protect our body and be healthy.
In the photo: the inventor of the drug Ivars Kalvins
“Meldonium is not a stimulating substance and, in my opinion, cannot improve the performance of athletes. Therefore, it is not clear why it is included in the list of prohibited substances. This is equivalent to prohibiting eating meat on the grounds that meat contains carnitine, a substance that stimulates energy production, ”said the professor.
Spring Fever
In March, the “doping wave” began. Meldonium was found in the blood of athletes who performed in 14 out of 20 sports at the European Games in Baku in the summer of 2015. Positive results were shown by many famous Russian athletes.
Now decisions about disqualification await swimmer Yulia Efimova, tennis player Maria Sharapova, figure skater Ekaterina Bobrova, skater Pavel Kouzhnikov, short trackers Semyon Yelistratov and Ekaterina Konstantinova, biathlete Edward Latypov, bicycle racer Edward Vorganov, rugby players Alexey and Alena Mikhaltsy
At the moment, 127 people in the world are caught in applying meldonium. Of these, 27 Russian athletes. Because of this, Russia has become the leader of anti-rating for canceled medals. Reports of positive doping samples from rowers yet.
Zurab Ordzhonikidze, head of the Center for Sports Medicine at the Moscow Health Department, believes that WADA has been let loose. “Meldonium has never been a doping, it is just a restorer. In the West, similar in composition preparations are commonly used by athletes, they are simply called differently. I think the Meldonium scandal is political pressure. It is time to turn to the UN to rein in the beating WADA, ”Ordzhonikidze said.
Ivars Kalvins also believes that there is a political background in the doping scandal. “I was informed that before banning mildronate, athletes were monitored for who exactly and how much of the drug is in the body. And stated that the concentration is most of all athletes from Russia. Obviously, some people had some political decision. I can only assume, of course, that this could be the cause, ”says the academician.
Michael Phelps is unaware of anything
Internet publications have not missed such a magnificent informational occasion. Of course, speculation and outright slander followed. For example, Facebook has been strolling through the article for several days referring to a famous American radio station. The headline reads: “The 17-time world champion Michael Phelps uses the American equivalent of Meldonium.” FoxNews presenter Glenn Beck and four-time Olympic champion Serena Williams are also mentioned in the article.
Athletes are allegedly outraged and accuse WADA of pressure on unwanted countries. The article cites the words of Michael: “Tomorrow they will receive a team: to ban athletes from unwanted countries to eat national food, recommending American food. And WADA will do it. This organization, which has completely discredited itself, has long had to be driven away from the argument.
