Italian race walker Schwazer testifies at doping trial

(AGI) Bolzano, 25 Nov - Italian race walker and former Olympicchampion Alex Schwazer has testified at the doping trial takingplace in a Bolzano court, indicating that the problem is farfrom gone. "In Russia a state doping scandal has emerged, noone has resigned and now there is already talk of how tore-admit those responsible. I'm sure that doping will occur atthe Rio games. As for my past, an athlete of my standing shouldnot have gone to Dr. Michele Ferrari". Schwazer was called as awitness in the Olimpia inquiry investigating Giuseppe Fischettoand Pierluigi Fiorella, two former doctors working for theItalian Track and Field Federation, as well as RitaBottiglieri, head of the Federation's health department.Schwazer's witness statement, which lasted over an hour and ahalf and will continue on Dec. 16, reviewed his entire careerfrom 2007. He cited trainers, from Sandro Damilano to MicheleDidoni, and doctors such as Francesco Conconi and MicheleFerrari. He also described meeting Russian race walkers inDaegu in September 2009, who offered him unconditional support(including on any doping issues) if he transferred to theSaransk centre and requested Russian citizenship. "At thattime, the Russians told me what they did to my face. I was verysurprised," he said.. .