Alex Schwazer: “Don’t think the ban will be lifted”

Did you expect the examining judge to make this decision? Alex Schwazer: “I waited hard for the verdict. I knew that the decision should now be made in February. The relief is of course huge after four and a half years of fighting. That was harder for me than any competition. But to be honest, I haven't had the time to read the judgment until now. But what was important was that it was a real acquittal for me because I didn’t commit the crime.” “I just want to remind you that Lance Armstrong was not a doping offender for WADA” The World Athletics Federation will not lift the ban and WADA has even announced legal action. What do you think? Schwazer: “Sport has its own jurisdiction. That's why I'm not surprised now. If a court uncovers a doping case, then they welcome it. But if a court finds that an alleged doping offense is not in fact one, then they do not have the size to accept that. I just want to remind you that Lance Armstrong was not a doping offender for WADA. Only a regular court discovered this. If WADA wants to take legal action, they should do so, but I doubt they will do anything along those lines.” “The chance that the ban will be lifted is 10 percent” What are the chances that the ban will be lifted and you can compete again? Schwazer: “I think that chance is probably only 10 percent. There won't be much time either, because for the Olympics I would have to reach the 50 km limit by the end of May and 20 km by the end of June. I doubt that I will be allowed to compete again by then. But if it still works, then I think I have a 100 percent chance of qualifying for the Olympics.” “I have at least tried to train for some time now” Does that mean they've been training again for a while? Schwazer: “I have at least tried to train for some time. I did one training session a day, I didn't have more time besides my work as a trainer." What can you do to ensure that the ban is lifted? Schwazer: “I certainly won’t do anything myself. We will have a conversation at CONI early next week. If CONI is by my side and stands up for me, then I am happy and can perhaps hope. But otherwise it will probably have been sporty. I’m 36 years old now, so I need a quick decision.” Are you currently training alone or is Sandro Donati still your trainer? Schwazer: “I am in constant contact with Sandro Donati, who is still my coach. He makes a program, I try to implement it. If I start professional training again, then we will of course have to find another solution. I could imagine that I am in Rome one week a month or Donati comes to me. But there’s no way I can leave my wife alone with two small children any longer.”

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Alex Schwazer: “Don’t think the ban will be lifted”

The court in Bolzano closed the criminal proceedings against Alex Schwazer on Thursday. Now the walker from Kalch speaks out himself and tells in an interview with s+ what's next for him.

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