Five years of incredible effort, tremendous work, morning rises at 4.30, training for survival, everything was done for the purpose of fighting for the highest prize! Family and a large team of friends, coaches, patrons worked to make me realise my goal, my brainchild, which I worked on 24/7 for five years, combining with work and community service. And today I was deprived of my right to represent Ukraine on August 5 at the Olympic Games! 

The situation is absurd and unfair in all respects! That from 2020 to 2021 I underwent at least 5 !!! doping tests! And in 2021 there are 6 of them (3 competitive and 3 non-competitive)!!! But the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) decided not to let me in just because I didn’t have time to pass the competitive test in 63 days! But how could I know when doping officers can come to me, if it’s all confidential information and how I could have done it in 63 days, 60 days before my start !! 

I fought, I did everything and the team of lawyers at Asters in 2 days prepared a statement (case) involving almost 150 pages with facts, evidence, and a bunch of documents about my innocence! I am very grateful to this team, they are the best! But the Court of Arbitration for Sport made a decision to prevent me from starting! I am a member of the delegation, I am not disqualified, doping has not been detected, and I deserve a place to represent Ukraine in an honest fight, but “chiefs” at the Athletic Integrity Unit and CAS did not want to plead guilty and create a precedent, but decided to accept their “killer” decision!

Strength and patience to achieve justice!

I am disappointed that the athlete has no rights, the athlete is always guilty and it is almost impossible to defend yourself, even when you are NOT GUILTY! I apologise to everyone who supported me, you need to wait a little longer – 3 years and I will realise our common dream. And I officially declare I am preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris 2024! There I will end my career as an athlete!

As for who is to blame at the FLAU (Ukraine athletics federation), NADC (national anti-doping agency) or someone else who did not test me in time, I will find out after my return to Ukraine on August 12! I am open to conversations and discussions for everyone! 

Regards Nazar Kovalenko
Olympic Athlete, Ukraine

• This media release was published via Facebook on 5 August 2021. Click here for the original.