Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet heads of the country's sports federations amid claims that its athletes have been involved in widespread, state-supported doping.
Putin will hold a session with sports federation chiefs on the current state of preparedness for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics in the meeting, which will take place on Wednesday in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, according to official TASS news agency. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s allegation of a state-sanctioned doping program in Russia is likely to be discussed in the meeting.
"I do not rule out that this issue will be raised, of course. At least some information will be provided by Russian Sports Minister [Vitaly] Mutko," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday when asked whether the issue of doping allegations would be discussed in the meeting, according to TASS.
A WADA independent commission report, released on Nov. 9, alleged governmental cover-ups of doping by the track and field athletes in Russia. The report also found involvement of Russia's intelligence agency, the FSB, in a state-supported doping program.
On Tuesday, Russia dismissed the allegations, describing the WADA report "groundless."
"Until any proof has been put forward, it is hard to accept any accusations as they seem rather groundless," Peskov said, according to radionz.
Following the release of its report on the Russian doping cover-up scandal, WADA has cancelled the accreditation of its Moscow anti-doping center.
"The suspension, which takes effect immediately, prohibits the Moscow Antidoping Center from carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples," WADA said in a press statement.
The International Olympic Committee made it clear that it will take action against any Russian athletes found guilty of doping.
"Taking its cue from the doping agency, the IOC has asked the [International Association of Athletics Federations] to initiate disciplinary procedures against all athletes, coaches and officials who have participated in the Olympic Games and are accused of doping in the report," the IOC said in a statement, according to rferl.
