IAAF Stands Against Banning Clean Athletes

"Clean" athletes must not suffer from punishment imposed on those sportsmen who used doping, IAAF vice-president and legendary pole-vaulter Sergei Bubka said.

MOSCOW, November 12 (Sputnik) — The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) must not impose sanctions on athletes who do not take performance-enhancing drugs, as it would incorrectly ban them from participating in sporting events, the organization's vice president Sergei Bubka said Thursday.

On Monday, an independent investigative commission, set up by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), presented a report accusing Russia of numerous violations of global anti-doping codes and recommended IAAF suspend Russia from international athletics, including the 2016 Olympics.

"We have a responsibility to protect clean athletes from any form of mass exclusion, we cannot punish them. What was uncovered does not pertain only to Russia and Russian athletes. This is not just about one country, it is a global matter that needs immediate attention," Bubka said, as quoted by International Sports Press Association.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko to conduct an internal investigation into accusations of widespread doping practices among Russian athletes.