Rogge admits concern at number of positive Russian doping tests

 INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has expressed his concern at the number of Russian winter sport athletes to have produced positive doping tests.

CONCERNED: IOC chief Jacques Rogge expresses concern as to the number of Russia winter sport athletes to have failed doping tests in recent years (Getty Images)

On the eve of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Rogge admitted he had met with both Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and minister of sport Vitaly Mutko to discuss the situation and call for action.

Russia, set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, has experienced a spate of doping scandals with cross-country skier Alena Sidko the latest in a long line to be exposed.

Sidko was thrown out of the Russian team for Vancouver last month, having tested positive for blood booster EPO.

While Russia's Julia Tchepalova - one of the most successful female cross-country skiers of recent times, winning Olympic gold in 1998, 2002 and 2006 and claiming world titles in 2001 and 2005 - was banned for two years before Christmas.

Another Russian skier, Nina Rysina, tested positive for EPO while competing in France in January.

"I have been very clear on this. We have been concerned by the number of positive cases," said Rogge, who did not reveal when his meeting with Mr Medvedev took place.

"I had a meeting with the president of Russia and insisted on strong action on doping and he promised he would launch that.

"I also had a meeting with the minister of sport Vitaly Mutko. I alerted him and he said he would do everything in his power to improve the situation.

"We have also addressed this with our partners at WADA. WADA has offered the possibility of the Russian authorities benefitting from a consultancy with the anti-doping authorities."

While a number of Russian athletes will be absent from Vancouver because of their doping pasts, biathlete Olga Medvedtseva will be taking part in British Columbia.

Medvedtseva [nee Pyleva] came second in the women's 15km individual race at the last Olympics in Turin but was disqualified, having tested positive for banned stimulant carphedon, allegedly contained in an over-the-counter medicine.

Medvedtseva was subsequently banned for two years from all competition, but has now returned.

"In law, once you have served your time, you are entitled to enter back into society," said Rogge.

"I understand people are worried by the number of positive tests. They are legitimate worries  and the IOC has shown its concern.

"It is up now to the Russian sports authorities to respond."