Whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov wins 2020 William Hill Sportsbook of the Year for explosive tell-all memoir exposing secret Russian doping empire
- Grigory Rodchenkov has helped unearth one of the biggest sporting scandals
- The whistleblower exposed Russia’s secret doping empire and remains in hiding
- His explosive tale has been named the 2020 William Hill Sportsbook of the Year
Whistleblower Dr Grigory Rodchenkov has won the 2020 William Hill Sportsbook of the Year for his explosive expose of Russia’s secret doping empire.
The former head of Russia’s national anti-doping lab remains in hiding in the United States, and in witness protection, after revealing the shocking secrets behind what the World Anti-Doping Agency described as the biggest sporting scandal in history.
Rodchenkov’s tell-all novel faced competition from 151 other entries in total, but was awarded the prestigious prize due to the stunning revelations made in his account.
Whistleblower Dr Grigory Rodchenkov has won the 2020 William Hill Sportsbook of the Year
Rodchenkov helped expose what WADA have labelled the biggest sporting scandal in history
The book, titled The Rodcheknkov Affair: How I Brought Down Putin’s Secret Doping Empire, unearths the startling conspiracy behind the cheating which has resulted in the disqualification of over 40 Russian athletes.
The explosive award-winning book is titled The Rodcheknkov Affair: How I Brought Down Putin’s Secret Doping Empire
Rodchenkov was forced to flee his home in 2015 when WADA suspended Russia due to accusations the country was embroiled in a doping scandal during the 2012 London Olympics and 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Icarus, an Oscar-winning documentary from 2017, detailed Rodchenkov’s own involvement in the scandal and the revelations made since that ultimately led to Russia’s ban from the Olympics.
Alyson Rudd, the chair of the judging panel, said in a statement: ‘The Rodchenkov Affair was praised for its searing honesty and bravery as Grigory Rodchenkov explains in gripping detail how he helped ensure Russian athletes who cheated through doping, escape detection.
‘He is a whistleblower like few others, and he remains a “ghost” living in America, separated from his family, the price he pays for wanting “to be on the side of truth”.’
Rodchenkov was one of five authors named on the shortlist for the award. He will receive a leather-bound copy of his book and potentially £30,000.