MOSCOW (Sputnik) — An independent investigative commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issued a report last week accusing Russia of violating global anti-doping codes and recommending that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) suspend Russia from international athletics, including the 2016 Olympic Games.
The IAAF then provisionally suspended the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) from IAAF membership.
"We will continue to harshly punish for doping and will not cover up anybody. The degree of punishment for athletes [in Russia] is the same as it is in other countries," Mutko stressed on Wednesday.
According to the Sports Minister, Russia, as the leader of world sports, is able to solve doping issues on its own and is ready to cooperate with all international organizations.
Israel, Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia and Ukraine were also ruled non-compliant, while France, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Spain and Mexico were placed on the WADA compliance "watch list."
According to WADA, non-compliance with anti-doping regulations means that anti-doping organizations cannot conduct operations until they reinstall the quality of their anti-doping programs.
On November 11, Mutko said that Russia could toughen administrative responsibility for doping use.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Mutko to conduct an internal investigation into accusations of widespread doping practices among Russian athletes.
