Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Report Links Russian Officials, Athletes to Massive Doping Cover-up by VOA News The World Anti-Doping Agency has recommended that track and field's governing body suspend Russia from competition following findings by the agency of a cover-up by Russia of positive blood doping tests. In a report released Monday, the agency said top Russian athletes, including track and field Olympians and winners of other prestigious events, have long participated in a systematic doping program that involved some of Russia's sports officials. The report implicated athletes, coaches, trainers, doctors and various Russian institutions, including the country's anti-doping agency and an accredited lab in Moscow that handled testing for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. The report was issued following a 10-month investigation by an independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency, also known as WADA. The commission recommended that the agency declare Russia "non-compliant" with the global anti-doping code, and that the International Association of Athletics Federations suspend Russia from competition. At a news conference Monday, former WADA president Dick Pound discussed the findings, which he called "state-sponsored" doping, and likened the cheating to the "old Soviet Union system." "The hope is Russia will seize the opportunity moving forward and take the lead in attacking a problem that has the potential to destroy sport," Pound said. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/report-links-russian-officials-athlet es-to-massive-doping-coverup/3050034.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/report-links-russian-officials-athletes-to-massive-doping-coverup/3050034.html