Yana Martynova: ‘Russian athletes have no chance to be fairly treated by international anti-doping agencies’

Yesterday Tatarstan swimmer Yana Martynova commented her 4-year disqualification to the press. There was found a minimum percentage of the banned substance. 'I did another test — it was negative. Even the Arbitrage Court did not help me. Russian athletes have no chance to be fairly treated by international anti-doping agencies,' she stated at a specially organised press conference in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan. Martynova became the champion of Russia 39 times, silver medallist of the 2007 FINA World Championships in 400m medley, bronze medallist of the 2008 European Championships. She also was the winner in the 2013 World Summer Universiade.

According to the athlete, RUSADA did not consider any arguments she presented in order to cut the period of me disqualification or exculpate her. 'My achievements is a hard physical and psychological labour. It is a labour of my team. I don't agree with the decision of RUSADA. I suppose it is unfair. I proved my absolute innocence and presented all exhaustive testimonies of that my previous test, other tests after when I was tested positive prove that I did not take even a single dose,' Martynova said.

As Martynova told, the first dope test before the competition was on 10 June. The second one was at the opening ceremony of the FINA World Championships when she was preparing to take an oath in front of the whole world. Two days after Yana was informed that the test was positive.

According to the athlete, RUSADA did not consider any arguments and evidences of her innocence

'I would certainly be in the final...'

The journalists who were at the press conference were interested in the future plans and professional career of the 28-year-old native of Kazan. According to Martynova, she is dreaming of participation in her fourth Olympic Games — in Tokyo in 2020. Now the swimmer goes on training and will start her preparation for the Games in 2019. Martynova also plans to open a swimming school, cooperate with sports and ad organisations and be a model.

The West thinks Russia is awash with doping scandals. But it should be noted that Russian swimming has only two athletes who had problems with dope tests: Yana Martynova and Yulia Yefimova. American coach Dave Salo was their coach in the USA. Is it possible the problem has nothing to do with Russia?

First of all, I have not been training in the USA for 2,5 years. When we came there, he always told us we just needed to work hard, train, eat healthy food. Even when we were ill, he told us to eat orange and rest.

What place could you have taken in the FINA World Championships with your best result?

I would certainly have been in the final. It would be more difficult to be in the top 3.

According to Martynova, she is dreaming of participation in her fourth Olympic Games — in Tokyo in 2020