Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for a new anti-doping commission to be created to shape Russia’s future strategy, as the country faces possible exclusion from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. It was not immediately clear if this was the same commission proposed on Thursday by sports minister Vitaly Mutko to consider a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report alleging state-sponsored doping and cover-ups in Russia. “Such a commission should be headed by a person with an absolutely unimpeachable reputation, who has the trust and respect of the Olympic family,” Putin said. Putin did not give a timescale for the commission to begin its work. Putin proposed 81-year-old Vitaly Smirnov, an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee member and a veteran of Russian and Soviet sports administration, to lead the panel.

Source: Mint July 22, 2016 14:37 UTC