"With the Russian spirit, nothing will break them (Russian athletes)," former Olympic runner and doping offender Anastasia Kapachinskaya told AFP. Russian Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov said Mudranov's medal was as "answer to all our ill-wishers", TASS news agency reported. Russians in Rio "will keep winning medals so that our national anthem (plays) and our flag is raised at the Olympic stadium". A poll conducted last month by the independent Levada Centre found that 71 percent of Russians doubt authorities were involved in doping cover-ups. Russia's escape from a blanket ban by the IOC, which has allowed 278 Russians to compete, has been met with relief.

Source: Bangkok Post August 07, 2016 20:37 UTC