Mutko: IOC keeps punishing Russian athletes despite lack of facts

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Disciplinary Commission aims to carry on with sanctions against all Russian athletes, who allegedly violated anti-doping rules, despite the lack of real facts, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said.

"Lawyers see everything and inform us that the developments are beyond the realm of legal norms. It can be hardly called a legal proceeding since athletes’ reasons remain ignored," TASS cited Mutko as saying.

"I think it is already obvious that all (Russian) athletes on the accusation list will be certainly subjected to penalties. I believe this is not the IOC to blame, but it may be an outcome of those behind the present-day scenario," the Deputy PM stressed.

"However, we will be fighting until the very end, as there is a lack of written reasoning, which may be appealed against. Our next steps will be to turn to arbitrary and civil courts," he added.

"There were no facts and will never be. We are facing a collective responsibility and everyone knows what it could lead to," Mutko concluded.

The IOC announced earlier in the day that Russian skeleton racers Aleksandr Tretiakov and Elena Nikitina had been stripped of their medals (gold and bronze) from the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and were also banned for life.