ADVERTISEMENT

Russian doping: Putin wants independent commission

Russian president Vladimir Putin wants Vitaly Georgiyevich Smirnov and foreign specialists to help tackle Russia's doping problems.

___5279422___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5279422___2016___7___22___22___vladimir-putin-cropped_1ahat0rb8u9is1q5yj7oym47ek

Vladimir Putin wants an independent commission including experts from overseas to tackle a doping crisis in Russia which could lead to a blanket ban on athletes from the European nation competing in the Rio Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is exploring legal options surrounding the banning of Russian athletes from all sports at the Games in Brazil next month following the publication of the McLaren report.

That report found that doping of Russian athletes had been "directed [and] controlled" at state level and prompted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to call for a blanket ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday rejected an appeal from 68 Russian track and field athletes against an IAAF ban from the Games.

ADVERTISEMENT

Putin said at a government meeting: "I believe it would be feasible to turn to the Russian Olympic Committee with a proposal to set up an independent and public commission, which besides Russian specialists would also include foreign experts in the spheres of medicine and law, as well as social and sports activists and experts."

Putin added: "This commission [Russia’s new independent anti-doping commission] should be headed by a person with an absolutely impeccable reputation who enjoys trust and respect in the Olympic family,

"There is such person in our country - Vitaly Georgiyevich Smirnov - doyen of the International Olympic Committee, IOC member since 1971."

Putin also spoke of the importance of building strong relations with the IOC, WADA and governing bodies.

He said: "To reach this goal we must closely cooperate with the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and all international sports federations."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT