Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the preparation of the Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro November 11, 2015, Sochi

The fight against doping in sports, unfortunately, is still relevant and require attention. With regard to recent developments related to our track and field, I ask, to pay close attention. It is necessary to conduct our own internal investigation and to provide the most open, I want to emphasize this - the most open and professional cooperation with the international anti-doping agencies. In Russia we have to do everything possible to get rid of this problem.

At the same time, of course, the responsibility needs to be personalized. And it is exactly the athletes, those removed from doping, having never touched it nor used it, who shouldn’t answer for those that have violated.