Russia admits failure to end doping

Moscow, Aug 23 (IANS) Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko admitted that his country has not yet been able to end the doping problem among its sportsmen, but at the same time has asked international organisations to recognise the huge steps taken in this regard.

Mutko told TASS on Monday that doping has not yet been stopped because unfortunately many coaches and sportsmen are convinced that victory cannot be achieved without doping.

The minister, considered by international press as the chief culprit in the doping system in Russia, noted that these coaches and their players believe that doping control systems are impartial.

Mutko said Russia had been successful in winning 56 medals in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, despite the absence of the country's athletes, rowers and weightlifters due to being involved in the doping scandal.