MOSCOW, April 8 (RAPSI) – The General Prosecutor’s Office has carefully studied a report made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding doping situation in Russia and decided not to launch any criminal cases, R-Sport reported on Friday citing Minister of Sport Vitaliy Mutko.
According to Mutko, the prosecutors did not find out any legally confirmed facts that may be used to launch a criminal case.
On November 9, 2015 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) held a press-conference in Geneva where independent commission of the organization accused Russia of numerous anti-doping rules violations. Commission recommended International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to suspend Russian athletes from participation in competitions under its auspices, including the 2016 Olympics.
This year, over 60 athletes, including Olympic medalists and world champions, have tested positive for the medical drug meldonium.
In early March, former world number one tennis player Maria Sharapova, Olympic gold medalist in short-track speedskating Semion Elistratov, world champion speedskater Pavel Kulizhnikov, Russian figure skater Yekaterina Bobrova and several other Russians were named among athletes who failed a doping test for meldonium.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that allegations of doping against Russian best sportsmen are politically motivated.