SOCHI (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.
"This wave we're seeing now comes, of course, amid politically motivated restrictions against our country, against Russia, but I hope that WADA's actions are not linked to this in any way," Putin told reporters. adding that he had instructed Russia's Ministry of Sport and other authorities to provide WADA inspectors with any kind of assistance.
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.
