Background Information on the Lapikov Video

So you saw the video of Dmitry Lapikov snatching 215kg.

I received some background information about the this. The source wants to remain anonymous, but proved to have some very detailed insider knowledge about Russian weightlifting politics.

Here is the mail I received (published with permission). Some parts have been left out to ensure anonymity.

I should have mentioned why Lapikov was lifting “behind the curtains” at the Russia Cup. It is because his status as disqualified was on appeal, and he needed to prove to the Russian decision makers that he should be considered for London. So he unofficially participated in the Russia Cup “behind the curtains”. He lifted according to a time schedule, without straps, in a competition singlet, observing the rules of real competition. He lifted 215+240. I understand he botched his attempt at 250.

His disqualification was on appeal at the international level in a litigation-like process at least until May this year. [...]

By the way, it is not important that Lapikov was recorded on video snatching 215kg. That was merely evidence. It is important that he was unofficially competing at the Russia Cup. He could not just show up uninvited and lift. It had to be pre-arranged and pre-approved by the important someones that I mentioned. You can see that people were watching him and monitoring him. This was not some circus YouTube video like the ones Koklyaev does. This was serious business.

Why am I writing all this? Because Lapikov was a real contender for the Russian team for London until July 6th. If his disqualification was rescinded, if he lifted more than 460 on July 6th in Taganrog, and if he passed the doping test administered on July 6th, he actually might have been added to the Russian team for London.

Since I received that information the Russian weightlifting federation was successful with its appeal, reducing the ban to 2 years starting from May 13, 2011. (source)

Still 2 years too long for 1,3-dimethylamylamine, but better than 4.

dbk1

so wait, he got banned for jack3d?
- GregorATG
  
  Yes, and at first he got banned 4 years instead of the usual 2 years for a stimulants.
  
  It seems like somebody doesn’t want him to lift.
  - sporting
    
    IWF has been handing out 4 year bans to everyone. Erkand Qerimaj got 4 years for 1,3 dimeth at the Euros this year. He had even declared use of it ‘accidentally’ through a preworkout he had bought online “Body Surge” lol. His coach then blamed it on the doctors who are on the state payroll for weightlifting saying in years they didn’t even show up to say “hello”. Oh and he specifically called these doctors “anti doping doctors” and said there were more than 10 on the payroll.
    
    It’s interesting because it sheds light on other countries perhaps using doctors and their own internal testing to make sure their athletes don’t test positive/hide drug use. Or in this case the old communist mentality of ‘pretending to do your job’.
- ghosthalo2
  
  Yeah pretty ridiculous but that chemical is in most decent pre workout stacks. I use it in mine -jp8x hardcore- I would say a 1 year ban is fine for stimulants since they do know its banned yet its pretty easy to get away with using stimulants. I think its ridiculous that chemical is banned in the first place though. I think it should be 2 years for steroids at 1 for anything else. Also great find but their other hw-albegov- is still better then him despite his amazing snatch so they chose the right guy I think.