Putin says Russia plans to create one of the best anti-doping systems
Russia is determined to create one of the best anti-doping systems, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the international forum Russia – Sports Power in Ulyanovsk, reported the website of the Kremlin.
The president said that a national plan has been developed and is being implemented for this purpose. “We consider this a matter of principle both for Russia and the entire world,” Putin said.
“We have seen failures in our anti-doping system but I want to note that these are not solely our problems. They revealed the apparent imperfections of the entire anti-doping system,” he added.
The president noted that he agrees with people who speak about the need to change the system. He said that such work should be carried out under the UNESCO auspices within the framework of the International Convention. Putin noted that the International Olympic Committee, international sports federations and national Olympic committees should play a “significant role” in this process.
“Of course, we all need the formation of common rules – transparent, fair and equal for all sportsmen,” Putin said. He added that it should be done in the interests of world sport and its future.
In March 2017, Putin acknowledged that the Russian anti-doping system “failed”. He said that the Russian side is to blame for this. “We need to speak directly and acknowledge the fact,” the Russian leader said.
In September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) voted to reinstate the rights of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency. To complete this process, the WADA must have access to the database and samples of the former Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory.
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency said that the WADA has attempted to “break the deadlock”. According to him, this will make it possible to prove the guilt of sportsmen who are suspected of using doping.