Andrei Markov won a very important legal case
The 18-month suspension that RUSADA (a Russian anti-doping agency) had imposed on Andrei Markov has been lifted.
Recall that the former Montreal Canadien had been suspended last July, because he had not completed some important documents about drug tests, previously.
The initial suspension was two years, but RUSADA decided to reduce his suspension to 18 months in the summer of 2021. However, they refused to install the suspension retroactively to the date of retirement in April 2020.
It was a long and difficult process, but the former Habs quarterback came through.
"It wasn't easy. And the COVID-19 didn't do anything to help speed up the process."
The 43-year-old Russian has already admitted to some administrative lapses, but also that he did nothing wrong per se.
His actions still cost him an assistant coaching position with HC Vityaz of Podols, a KHL team, because an individual who is suspended by RUSADA cannot take part in sports associations, both at the professional and amateur levels.
However, he is greatly relieved, as he has much more important plans in mind, namely to coach his twin sons.
"Now I can start coaching my sons [Andrei and Mark, his 10-year-old twins] again."
