Russia plans to make doping a criminal offence by 2017
Last Updated: 23/05/16 5:07pm
The Russian government is trying to push through legislation that will make doping a criminal offence by 2017.
The proposed laws will look to root out and severely punish administrators, coaches and support staff engaged in doping activities after the All-Russian Athletics Federation was suspended from competing due to multiple violations.
An investigation into Russian practices by the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed doping at a systematic level and Natalia Zhelanova, of the Russian Sports Ministry, admitted her country has a massive issue.
"We understand that we have a huge problem," she said.
"It's not only our problem - we know it's probably the same in other countries too - but we are only responsible for our country and our issues.
"So we are trying everything to fix our problems and clean [our] house. Of course, [the situation] is bad but every crisis can be a chance to make quick changes."
Doping is already a criminal offence in several European countries and British Prime Minister David Cameron has suggested the UK may follow suit.
Russia's law would concentrate on the suppliers and distributors of the drugs, rather than the athletes themselves, with sanctions ranging from fines to prison sentences.
