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Russia fully supports WADA, IAAF measures on athletics reforms

Xinhua, March 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Russia stands ready to support all measures by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on the reform of All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) after the widespread rule-breaking scandal in the country's track and anti-doping programs, a Russian sports official said Monday.

"The state cannot be responsible for some specific subjective violations, and we are ready to support all the measures to reform the ARAF in cooperation with WADA and IAAF in order to avoid any violations in the future," Natalya Zhelanova, an adviser to Russia's sports minister, was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

In November 2015, WADA charged that Russia had conducted "widespread cheating through the use of doping substances and methods to ensure, or enhance the likelihood of, victory for athletes and teams."

The IAAF voted later to suspend Russia from all international competitions, including World Athletics Series competitions and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

It has also suspended the membership of the ARAF, which the country's Olympic Committee has promised to reform so that the national team could participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Enditem