|
 "We are changing the structure and I will have to create a
position in the department, which will exclusively concentrate on
fighting against doping," Mutko was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
"In part, it will answer for the independent Russian Anti-Doping
Agency (RUSADA).
"We need to take a stronger stance toward this work. We have created
an anti-doping system and it will be impossible to get around it. We
need to help our sportsmen," Mutko added.
 RUSADA announced on Tuesday that three Olympic walk champions, Olga
Kaniskina, Valery Borchin, Sergei Kirdyapkin, had all been suspended
for doping infringements, as well as 2011 world champion Sergei
Bakulin and silver medalist Vladimir Kanaykin.
Russia's anti-doping body said the suspensions were due to abnormal
blood levels in their biological passports.
Mutko added that he was not happy with the work of the Russian
Athletics Federation (VFLA), which he said was "not in tune with the
state's anti-doping policies".
[to top of second column] |
The VFLA president Valentin Balakhnichev has said he is prepared to
step down from his position.
(Reporting By Dmitriy Rogovitskiy; editing by Toby Davis)
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