17 Feb 2010

IOC issues doping warning to Russia

2:33 pm on 17 February 2010

The International Olympic Committee's vice president has warned Russia to step up the fight against doping or risk staining its 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

Thomas Bach's warning came just days after IOC chief Jacques Rogge urged Russia to boost anti-doping efforts following a "worrying" series of high-profile bans.

Russia has been in the doping spotlight in recent years with many of its top summer and winter athletes testing positive for banned substances.

The top cross-country skier, Alena Sidko, considered a medal contender at the Vancouver Olympics, became the most recent big-name offender just weeks before the start of the Games.

And three other leading Russian skiers, triple Olympic champion Julija Tchepalova, 2006 Olympic gold medallist Yevgeny Dementiev and national champion Nina Rysina, have also been banned.