June 06--On the same day that seven more Russian athletes were sanctioned for doping, the country's sports leaders announced new measures to "reform social attitudes" toward cheating.
The ministry of sport said Monday it will launch a widespread education program that includes training for top athletic staff and compulsory lessons for millions of schoolchildren.
"We recognize that to create real change we must inform athletes from the very beginning of their careers," said Natalia Zhelanova, an anti-doping adviser to the ministry. "It is about instilling the right values from the outset, but we hope this initiative will be supported by wider society as this is a change that all Russians must embrace."
It was late last year that a World Anti-Doping Agency report alleged organized cheating among Russian track-and-field athletes, coaches and team officials. The entire national federation was suspended from international competition.
Since then, the media have reported on doping in other sports, including an alleged system for manipulating results in a national drug-testing lab.
On Monday, the Russian anti-doping agency announced that six weightlifters had received bans ranging from two to eight years for offenses committed last year, according to media reports. A judo champion was also reportedly punished.
david.wharton@latimes.com
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