'I'm going to fight it,' Russia's Valentin Balakhnichev says of doping scandal allegations

The man fingered by the World Anti-Doping Association as one of the people "ultimately responsible"for Russia's system ofdoping in athletics, rejects the watchdog agency's conclusions.

"Ihave no rights, no instruments to promote doping in Russia. It's impossible because of the constitution of my federation,"ValentinBalakhnichev told CBC news in Moscow in his first video interview with foreign mediasince WADA's final report into dopingin international athleticswas released last week.

Balakhnichev, whowas head of the All-RussiaAthletic Federation (ARAF) from1991 until his resignation last February, acknowledged thatdoping was happening among Russian athletes but rejected the idea that it wassupported by the state or public organizations like ARAF.

"It's a problem ofathletes and coaches, asin many countries," he said.

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Balakhnichevalsoserved as treasurer of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Two weeks ago, that association's ethics committee banned him from international sport for lifefor his allegedrole in the doping scandal.

"Corruption was embedded in the organization," the WADA report said of the IAAF.

Balakhnichev was interviewed live Wednesdaynight on Echo Moscow, an independent radio station. He had called the stationoffering to tell his side of the story.

CBC was the only other media present,guests of Echo, and surprised Balakhnichev onhis way intothe interview.

"I'm Susanwith Canadian television," I began."How are you?"

"I'm bad,"he said wryly.

At first, Balakhnichev refused to speak with us, saying, "Why would I, after the document of Mr. Pound?"

Canadian Dick Pound is theformer head of WADA and the author of the recent report.

I can sacrifice more, only for this reason:participation of [the]Russian nation in theOlympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.- ValentinBalakhnichev, former head of Russian athletics federation

But later on, Balakhnichev agreed to answer a few questions, playing nice andsaying he washeartenedto hear Poundsuggestthat it was "possible"Russian athletes could participate inthe Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

"I never like to criticize him because his last words in the report andhispress conferencethat Russia have time to [recover] and participate in the Olympic Games," Balakhnichev said."I can sacrifice more, only for this reason: participation of [the]Russian nation in theOlympic Games in Rio de Janeiro."

In Russia,Balakhnichev is 'tainted'

On Wednesday, WADA issued a news release, saying it has appointed two international experts who will work along with the U.K. anti-doping agencyto help theRussian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA)become compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and "re-establish public confidence in the Russian anti-doping program." A third international expert will joinRUSADA'snewly formed board.

"There is much work to be done if RUSADA is to become compliant again,"WADA director-generalDavidHowmansaid in the release.

• Read the WADA doping report Part 1
• Read Part 2 of the WADA report

Meanwhile, Balakhnichev has lost almost everything: his job, his reputation and at least 1.8 million euros in a Monaco bank account that French authorities have seized.

Where's the proof?- ValentinBalakhnichev

State media aren't interested in his story anymore, we're told, because he is "tainted,"accused of tarnishing Russia's reputation. A German television documentary on ARD implicated him in a scheme with others to extort money from Russian athletes to hide their doped-up samples.

He calls the documentary a "set upno facts, all fantasy."

"There are a lot of wordsbut no proof that I got money or sent money or took money from athletes. Where's the proof?" he said Wednesday.

'I'mgoing to fight it'

Part of the WADA report includes allegations that Lamine Diack, former president of the IAAF, was "friends"with RussianPresident Vladimir Putin and was quoted as saying there would have to be a "deal" to exact Putin's co-operation in anti-doping measures.

Balakhnichev scoffs at that suggestion, saying the two were not close.

"Mr. Putin has a million friends like that," he said.

Pushed, he says, "You have very big discussionabout Marion Jones, remember?[Lance] Armstrong, but nobody from us [said] that president of U.S.A. is guilty in this kind of business. It's totally, totally unfair."

(Track and field star Jones and cyclist Armstrongboth admitted to usingperformance-enhancing drugs.)

As he wrapped up our impromptu conversation,Balakhnichevsaid his only job now is to defend himselfdaily. French police have launched an investigation into corruption at theIAAF, and Balakhnichev says he will speak to them if and when they come to Moscow.

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"I'mgoing to fight it," he said. "I'm not afraid of anything." And thatincludesgoing to jail, he says.

"Will you speak to us again?" I ask.

"That depends on how you write your report," he says smiling, then pauses.

"How did you convince me to do this interview, anyway?"