IOC Takes Action to Punish Athletes Over Doping Scandal

The Executive Board of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) decided on Tuesday to take a series of steps to punish athletes guilty of anti-doping rules violation in light of a developing scandal involving the Russian Athletics Federation, the IOC said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, a WADA commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous violations of global anti-doping codes and recommended that the country be banned from international athletics, including 2016 Olympic Games.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that doping accusations against Russian athletes were unfounded.

"The IOC has asked the IAAF to initiate disciplinary procedures against all athletes, coaches and officials who have participated in the Olympic Games and are accused of doping in the report of the Independent Commission," the IOC said in a statement.

"With its zero-tolerance policy against doping, following the conclusion of this procedure, the IOC will take all the necessary measures and sanctions with regard to the withdrawal and reallocation of medals and as the case may be exclusion of coaches and officials from future Olympic Games," the statement said.