Russians' doping probe at 2014 Sochi Olympics to conclude this year

The investigation into doping manipulations of Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi will be completed this year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commission's head Richard McLaren said on Monday.

When asked whether the results of the investigation will be available this year or next year, McLaren said, "This year, for sure. I don't know the precise date," reports Tass.

According to McLaren, the names of athletes involved in manipulations will be provided to the relevant sports federations.

"As the independent person, I will never name them," McLaren said.

"I will provide the names to the relevant sports federations and they will have to determine what is to be done because they are responsible for results management," he added.

"I'll tell this to international federations, they will decide what they are going to do with the information and that process will begin soon - providing names to international federations."

McLaren went on to say that the information provided by former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory Grigory Rodchenkov about manipulations with doping tests of Russian athletes at the 2014 Games is accurate.

"We have information cross checks with what he told us and so we are able to determine what he told us was credible and accurate," McLaren said.

"Grigory Rodchenkov has been a witness. I've interviewed him on a number of occasions. I do not communicate with him but I have had some interview with him but I am not in regular communication with him," he added.

"I think it's well-known that he's in the USA. Where in the USA is not known," MacLaren said, noting that "he's definitely alive".

A criminal case has been opened in Russia against Rodchenkov over his abuse of power.

In May, the New York Times published an article with Rodchenkov's statements claiming that the so-called doping program existed in Russia.

It was allegedly planned for several years in order to ensure the victory of the Russian national team at the Sochi Olympics.

Rodchenkov said he is ready to provide proof to WADA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He also called for re-checking doping tests from the 2014 Games of samples which are stored in Lausanne.

--IANS

sam/vt