– I answered all these questions in an interview with Taylor and I see no point in returning to them. For what reason? This is how the Russian biathlete president Viktor Majgurov tells news, after he has been asked several questions about the Besseberg case. Majgurov is the leader of Russian biathlon, which is central to the debts against Anders Besseberg. Jonathan Taylor was the man who led the work on an investigative report, which was prepared on behalf of the International Biathlon Union. The report was clear that Besseberg did what he could to defend Russia. The trial against Besseberg starts in Buskerud District Court on 9 January. In the case, the former president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) is accused of gross corruption, but he does not admit criminal guilt after the indictment. Among other things, he owes the prosecution to accepting bribes in the form of prostitutes offered by Russians, exclusive gifts of watches and arranged hunting trips. Rejects defense Majgurov does not wish to answer questions about prostitutes, gifts of watches or hunting trips. But he is clear on one thing: – Besseberg did not defend the interests of the Russian Biathlon Federation, writes Majgurov in an e-mail to news and claims: – It was a World Cup race once a year. Twice in 25 years it was the WC. There were no more than in Germany, Austria, Italy, Norway or Sweden. We got all these arrangements through voting at IBU congresses, writes Majgurov. Viktor Majgurov (right) on the podium during the Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. Here together with Ole Einar Bjørndalen (centre) and Frank Lück (left). Photo: NTB Biathlon became “big business” in the 2000s. Russia was among the great nations. World Cup events and the WC meant large revenues. For several years, Majgurov was also vice-president under Besseberg in the International Biathlon Union. The Russian points out that the level of implementation of their event was at the highest level. – It was also said several times by athletes, coaches and team managers, writes Majgurov. Rejects influence The last World Cup race Russia organized was in 2018. The races in Tyumen were highly contested. Among other things, in a letter to Besseberg in 2016, Norwegian biathlete leaders wanted Russia to withdraw from all races. The background was the extensive Russian doping cheat during the Sochi Olympics. It was recently revealed in an investigative report. In the 2000s, Aleksander Tikhonov was the most influential Russian in biathlon. Today, Tikhonov denies that in his time attempts were made to influence Besseberg from the Russian side. – I was president of the Russian federation and I did not allow it, says Tikhonov to news. Aleksander Tikhonov, former president of the Russian Biathlon Union. Photo: NTB Majgurov himself is mentioned 15 times in an investigative report on the Besseberg case. It was prepared by an independent commission commissioned by the IBU. This work was led by the British jurist Jonathan Taylor. In this report it is stated that Besseberg protected and defended Russian interests. But that’s what Majgurov is all about. When news contacted the Russian by phone, he promised that he would look into our questions via e-mail. But he only answered the question about whether Besseberg was defending Russian interests. Anders Besseberg was president of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) for more than 25 years. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB The court will decide this winter whether Besseberg received benefits in violation of Norwegian corruption laws, while he was the top leader of biathlon. This means that what must be proven is that he accepted good things, which he understood he should not accept. At the same time, it is pointed out in the indictment that “by virtue of his role in the IBU, he had the opportunity to influence decisions that are important for Russian biathlon”. The court case will be the first time Besseberg will concretely explain the points in the indictment. – It is the only real opportunity he has to retaliate rather than trying to respond to all rumours, views and opinions that are otherwise referred to him through the press, said Besseberg’s lawyer Christian B. Hjort to news in December.
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Russian president defends Besseberg in news interview – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
