FBI Looking for US Connections in Doping Allegations Against Russia

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into possible US connections in the recent doping allegations against Russian athletes, US media report.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – A person familiar with the FBI investigation told CBS on Wednesday that the agency is trying to find out whether an American bank was involved in the alleged doping scheme and whether anyone might have "benefited unfairly" from the claims against Russian athletes.

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.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has launched a probe into the claims.

The Russian Sports Ministry has expressed readiness to assist WADA in its investigation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russia supports the Sports Ministry’s position on its readiness to fight against the use of doping and to back those athletes who are performing in honest competitions, but is against casting a shadow on the entire sports world in Russia over a few athletes suspected of doping.