7 Jul 2016

Russia says its committed to rooting out doping

6:49 am on 7 July 2016

Russia has told the World Anti Doping Agency that it's fully committed to eradicating doping after Russian athletes were barred from the Rio Olympics.

The Russian sports minister has also pledged full cooperation with WADA for fair sport.

"We are ready to work with you to build a transparent structure which makes it impossible to violate even in theory the international standards of WADA by the staff of (Russian anti-doping agency) RUSADA and the (Russian) Laboratory," Vitaly Mutko wrote to WADA President Sir Craig Reedie.

Yelena Isinbayeva is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a CAS ruling to determine whether she can compete in Rio.

Yelena Isinbayeva is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a CAS ruling to determine whether she can compete in Rio. Photo: Photosport

Mutko sent the letter ahead of a July 15th deadline for WADA to deliver a final report on its investigation into alleged widespread doping in Russian athletics.

On June 17, WADA endorsed the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council's decision to maintain a suspension of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF).

WADA cited sufficient evidence of "a mandatory state-directed manipulation of laboratory analytical results operating within the Moscow-accredited laboratory from at least 2011 forward including the period of the IAAF World Championships in 2013".

On July 2, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and 68 athletes filed appeals to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the IAAF ban and asked to be allowed to take part in international competition in time for the Olympics.

The three parties agreed an expedited procedure, with a final decision due by July 21, CAS has said.

Russia has named a track and field team for the Rio Olympics that includes gold medallists Yelena Isinbayeva and Ivan Ukhov among the 68 athletes involved in the appeals.

-Reuters