The US government has reportedly opened a criminal n investigation into alleged state-sponsored doping of Russian athletes.
The US prosecutor’s office for the Eastern District of New York is scrutinising Russian government officials, athletes, coaches, anti-doping authorities and anyone who might have benefited unfairly from a doping regime, according to the New York Times.
The newspaper said that launch of the inquiry escalates what has been a roiling sports controversy into a federal criminal case involving foreign officials.
Federal courts have allowed prosecutors to bring cases against foreigners living abroad if there is some connection to the United States. That connection can be limited, such as the use of an American bank.
A report published by the World Anti-Doping Agency in November accused Russia of systematic state-sponsored doping.
The chemist identified as a linchpin in that operation - Grigory Rodchenkov, the longtime head of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory - told the paper this month that he worked for years, at the direction of the Russian government, to help the country’s athletes use banned, performance-enhancing substances in global competition and go undetected.
He is said to be among the people under scrutiny by the United States government.
Russian officials have responded to the allegations with a mixture of defiance and apology.
The Russian Sports Ministry acknowledged doping problems in a statement last week after Dr Rodchenkov’s claims were published, though it did not specify what those problems were.
Then, writing in the Sunday Times, the Russian sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, said that Russian officials, coaches and athletes had made “serious mistakes”, but he stopped short of outlining them or admitting to any state involvemen
