PARIS (Sputnik) – Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport that "there is still a chance for [Russians] to compete in the Olympic games" as the suspension "is temporary, we still need to fulfill a number of requirements in the coming months."
According to Russian IAAF council member Mikhail Butov, who is also secretary general of the All-Russia Athletics Federation's (ARAF), Russia will be working with a special commission on the issue.
"A special commission is being created that will be headed by an independent expert," Butov said adding that three people from the IAAF will become members of the commission.
Butov told journalists that the next IAAF meeting will take place on Nobember 26.
"So far it is unclear whether this commission will have time to do anything before the next IAAF meeting," Butov said, expressing confidence that Russia will be able to participate in the Olympics.
On Friday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission ruled that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) violated its code.
On Monday, a WADA-initiated independent investigative commission rolled out a report accusing Russia of numerous violations of global anti-doping codes. It recommended that the IAAF suspend Russia from international athletics, including the 2016 Olympic Games.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Mutko to conduct an internal investigation into accusations of widespread doping practices among Russian athletes.
