"We received a significant blow to the image of our sport — doping scandals have suspended the activities of our laboratory and RUSADA [Russian Anti-Doping Agency], pushed our athletics federation out of the international federation, our athletes have been barred from participating in international competitions," Mutko said.
In November 2015, the WADA Independent Commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous breaches of global anti-doping regulations and recommended the country be banned from international athletics competitions. As a result, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) temporary suspended the Russian Athletic Federation's membership of the association.
The Russian authorities have promised to carry out a clean-up program to fulfill the WADA demands in order for country's athletes to be allowed to participate in the 2016 Olympics.
