Russian athletics official confirms 'zero tolerance' doping policy

Russia follows 'zero tolerance' policy for any kind of doping violations, All-Russian federation of track and field athletics general secretary Mikhail Butov insisted on Friday.
"We're set to focus our attention on maintaining preventive action against the use of doping," the R-Sport news agency quoted Butov as saying.

"However, the federation follows and will follow in the future the principle of 'zero tolerance' for doping violations."

But Butov claimed that the existing system of doping control administration needs improving.

"There are plenty of problems in the existing system of doping control, which is often incomprehensible for athletes and coaches. Some of its processes are too protracted and that causes unnecessary conjecture and suspicion.

"We'll send to the IAAF our proposals for improvement of the doping control procedures."

Meanwhile, the country's athletics federation warned against unfounded accusations based on the country's poor record with respect to doping violations.

About 50 Russian athletes are currently banned by the IAAF, the highest number of any country.

"The All-Russian athletics federation is well-informed about the investigations that were held by WADA's independent commission and the IAAF ethics commission," said the statement on the federation's website.

"We would like to declare our full openness to co-operate with the world athletics community. But we would like to reject any ungrounded accusations in relation to the federation."

Source: AFP