Russian Sports Ministry Notified WADA of Readiness to Assist Doping Probe

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — US media reported this month, citing former director of the Russia-based anti-doping laboratory Grigory Rodchenkov, that dozens of Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, including at least 15 medal winners and the entire women’s hockey team, were doping throughout the Games as part of a "state-run program." WADA has launched a probe into the claims.

"We support and are ready to provide our full assistance to the investigation which is being carried out by WADA, of which we have notified the agency with an official letter," the ministry said in a statement, as seen by R-Sport.

The ministry stressed that the responsibility must be individual.

"’Clean’ athletes who have spent years of their lives training and complying with all rules and regulations, including those against doping, should not be denied the right to take part in competitions," the ministry said.

In November 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency's Independent Commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous breaches of global anti-doping regulations, and recommended banning Russia from international athletics competitions.

The Russian authorities have promised to carry out a clean-up program to fulfil the WADA demands in order for country's athletes to be allowed to participate in the 2016 Olympics.