Russia keeps forming strong anti-doping legislative basis in sports, deputy PM says

Russia is consistently moving toward the establishment of a legislative basis for the most effective and clear-cut regulations in the fight against doping abuse and other violations in sports, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Thursday, TASS reports.

"We are consistently moving in the direction of setting up a strong legislative basis, which on the one hand would pave the way for anti-doping agencies independent activities and on the other would be strictly regulating the fight against doping in our country," Mutko said.

"This is another serious step in the fight against doping abuse," Mutko said. "We are saying here that there had been never state-sponsored programs as it is completely untrue. On the contrary, we are moving in the direction of heightening responsibility for doping abuse."

"A list approved by the government’s decree includes substances and methods, which can result in criminal persecution in case of violations," Mutko said. "Beginning now, a criminal case would be launched if an athlete was guilty of doping abuse or it may be launched against people, who encouraged an athlete into taking banned performance enhancing drugs and no matter who these persons may be - a coach or a doctor."