IOC repeats concern about Russia's numberous drug cheats
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The International Olympic Committee again expressed the concern about Russia's drug problem here on Tuesday at an anti-doping press conference with three days before the opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Arne Lungqvist, head of the IOC medical commission, shared president Jacques Rogge's concern and called on the Russian authorities to allow their new anti-doping agency to act independently.
"The IOC has a mandate at the Olympic Games and our concerns are related to the fact that Russia will be hosting the next edition of the Olympic Games. Therefore I am pleased that the matter has been raised at the highest possible level, between the president of the IOC and the president of the Russian federation," said Lungqvist.
Eight Russian biathletes and cross-country skiers, including five-time Olympic medalist Albina Akhatova and former world champion Yekaterina Iourieva, have been banned for doping after testing positive over and over again.
At the IOC press conference Monday afternoon, president Rogge replied on it and said the IOC has pushed all the buttons it can and that WADA is watching.
"I know Dr Rogge's concerns and I share them," said Lundquist on Tuesday. "The Russians have therefore been made aware they have a problem. If you don't realize you have a problem, you have no way of dealing with it."
"My own wish would be that action includes a substantial support for the newly created Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, that they be given the right resources to act efficiently and act independently," he added.
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