President Vladimir Putin's office, sports minister slam WADA report

The accusations of state-sponsored doping in Russian track and field appear to be unfounded, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said yesterday

Moscow: The accusations of state-sponsored doping in Russian track and field appear to be unfounded, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said yesterday.


Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko

Dmitry Peskov told journalists that whenever any charges are made, they must be based on some evidence.

"As long as there is no evidence, it is difficult to consider the accusations, which appear rather unfounded," Peskov said.

Most Russian newspapers followed the government's lead in playing down accusations from WADA, who yesterday also suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center from carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities including all urine and blood analysis.

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the WADA report had "no serious evidence" of state involvement in doping and was unfair. Mutko said: "Russia should not be singled out. Doping is a world problem."

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