London: A German TV documentary has made a sensational claim that 99 per cent of Russian athletes are guilty of doping.
The documentary alleges that Russian officials have put a system in place to accept payment from athletes to supply banned substances and cover up tests.
The programme, broadcast Wednesday, showed former discus thrower Yevgeniya Pecherina claiming that “most, the majority, 99 per cent” of athletes selected to represent Russia use banned substances.
“You can get absolutely everything. Everything the athlete wants,” she said.
The 25-year-old Russian is currently serving a 10-year doping ban that is due to end in 2023. She had already been handed a two-year suspension in 2011.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has pledged to “fully investigate”.
“WADA will ensure that all matters raised are fully investigated. WADA has already received some information and evidence of the type exposed in the documentary,” the doping regulatory agency said on its website.
“If action is warranted, WADA will take any necessary and appropriate steps under the code,” the statement said.
The TV documentary also implicated the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in covering up the drugs abuse.
