MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called for a new anti-doping commission to be created to shape Russia's future strategy, as the country faces possible exclusion from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Putin told a meeting of Russia's cabinet that the commission, under the direction of the Russian Olympic Committee, would provide "rapid development and tough control for the effective realization of a national plan on the fight against doping."
He added that the commission would be "independent" and would include Russians and foreigners in the fields of medicine, law and sports administration.
Putin proposed 81-year-old Vitaly Smirnov, an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee member and a veteran of Russian and Soviet sports administration, to lead the panel.