More than 40% of Russians believe that judges at the Vancouver Winter Olympics will demonstrate an anti-Russia bias, a survey revealed on Wednesday.
The survey, conducted by the Levada Center independent pollster, also found that 36% believed they would be impartial. The remainder of the respondents were unable to answer.
Only 14% of respondents said they were not at all interested in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. A total of 23% of Russians plan to watch all the Olympic events, while 45% will follow certain sports.
Figure skating, biathlon and ice hockey are the most popular among Russians, accounting for 48%, 37% and 34% respectively. Cross country skiing (25%), alpine skiing (16%) and ski jumping (15%) also were among the favorites.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge expressed concern on Monday over doping cases involving Russian athletes.
The IOC and the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the 2010 Olympics will deliver a very strict doping control program, with plans to conduct a total of 2,500 tests during the Games.
Some 1,600 people in 127 localities in 46 regions took part in the poll conducted on January 29 -February 1, with a statistical margin of error of 3.4%.
MOSCOW, February 10 (RIA Novosti)
