Russia supports WADA, IAAF measures on athletics reforms

Russia will support all measures of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on the reform of All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) after the widespread rule-breaking scandal in the country's track and anti-doping programmes, a sports official said on Monday.

"The state cannot be responsible for some specific subjective violations, and we are ready to support all the measures to reform the ARAF in cooperation with WADA and IAAF in order to avoid any violations in the future," Natalya Zhelanova, an advisor to Russia's sports minister, said on Monday, reports Xinhua.

In November 2015, WADA charged that Russia had conducted "widespread cheating through the use of doping substances and methods to ensure, or enhance the likelihood of, victory for athletes and teams".

The IAAF later suspended Russia from all international competitions, including World Athletics Series competitions and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

It has also suspended the membership of the ARAF, which the country's Olympic Committee has promised to reform so that the national team could participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics.