Dec. 17--Speaking at a year-end news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a mixed message in response to the international ban on his country's track federation, which stands accused of systemic doping.
Putin vowed to cooperate in the fight against cheating, which he called a "poison for people," but also characterized the ban as unjust because it penalizes athletes who have committed no violations.
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"Those who are guilty -- the coach, the organizer, the athlete -- they should be held responsible," he said. "Those who have nothing to do with it should not answer for those who are violating something. It's not fair, and it's not right."
Earlier this year, a World Anti-Doping Agency report said that Russian sports officials, coaches and team doctors had encouraged -- and, in some cases, pressured -- athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs.
The IAAF, track's international governing body, responded by banning the national federation from all competition, including the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics.
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IAAF officials left open the possibility of a timely reinstatement if the Russian federation adopts necessary reforms.
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