Others, however, argue that the political meddling in sport is coming mainly from the Russian authorities -- and desperation for success lies behind the current doping scandal. MOSCOW (RUSSIA) - President Vladimir Putin has pumped vast sums into sport to refashion Russia's image and bolster his personal prestige, but the scandal over state-run doping threatens to obliterate any successes. Ukraine, Syria and now doping: for many in Russia it is just the latest attack by the West. "The successes of the GDR in sport relied heavily on doping. That move comes with Russia's track and field squad already barred from the competition over evidence of state-sponsored cheating.

Source: Bangkok Post July 23, 2016 15:45 UTC