Russia's athletics team is already suspended over similar doping allegations that came out last year. The findings are the latest -- and most severe -- hammer blow for Russian sport under Mutko's watch and threaten to see the country banned from the Olympics in Rio next month. The reign of Mutko -- a wily bouffant-haired operator -- has come as judo-loving former KGB agent Putin focused on sport to bolster Russia's image on the world stage. MOSCOW - Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko -- banned Tuesday from the Rio Games over doping allegations -- is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin who has survived a string of scandals to hit Moscow. The combative Mutko is now barred from Rio after the International Olympic Committee said it will not grant accreditation to "any official" from Russia's badly tainted sports ministry.

Source: Bangkok Post July 19, 2016 17:37 UTC