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The Kremlin regrets the latest doping scandal involving Russian athletes and has asked that 'individual cases' not be projected on the entirety of domestic sport known for its achievements.
"Indeed, the Sports Ministry has been providing us with information [about six Russian athletes accused of using meldonium, a substance outlawed on January 1]. Of course, we regret this situation. However, this situation should not be projected on the entirety of Russian sport," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on March 9.
"One should not present this situation in a fashion which would somehow cast a shadow on Russian sport, the outstanding achievements of our athletes," the Russian presidential press secretary said.
"This is a question of individual athletes, individual cases," he said.
The Presidential Sports Council met in Sochi a couple of months ago, and President Vladimir Putin "made a statement, giving a clear order to our sport functionaries to look into every specific case in a maximally open manner and in full coordination with relevant international entities," Peskov said.
"We are confident that the same will happen this time," the presidential press secretary said.
