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Russia promises Athletics Federation reform to ensure participation in 2016 Olympic

Xinhua, November 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said Monday that the structure of the country's Athletics Federation would be reformed as soon as possible.

"The main task is to make it possible for our athletes to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games," ROC president Alexander Zhukov said.

According to Zhukov, a memorandum was signed after his meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.

The agreement urged the Russian side to take necessary measures in order to qualify Russian athletes for 2016 Olympic Games.

"First, we should significantly renew the structure of Russian Athletics Federation; second, it is necessary to bring the activities of our anti-doping services in line with the code of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)," Zhukov said.

He stressed that urgent measures would be taken to meet requirements of the WADA and to ensure the further function of Russian Anti-Doping Agency.

"I am sure that the implementation of these measures will enable our athletes to get down to international competitions," Tass news agency quoted Zhukov as saying.

Last Monday, a commission of the WADA published a report accusing Russia of violations of global anti-doping codes and recommended the country be banned from international athletics, including the 2016 Olympics.

The International Association of Athletics Federations has voted almost unanimously on Friday to suspend Russia's qualification.

A formal process is supposed to be launched in a week when the provisional suspension is almost certain to be made permanent by a disciplinary panel.

All Russian athletes and support staff will be forbidden to participate in any international events including World Athletics Series competitions and the Olympic Games under the suspension.

Zhukov vowed on Monday that all athletes who used to take doping, their coaches and all specialists would be disqualified and barred from competitions.

Meanwhile, he claimed that the majority of Russian athletes have never taken doping.

"Our own stance and the position of the IOC is that we should guarantee the right of 'clean' athletes to perform at the Olympic Games," Zhukov said. Endit