Doping allegations ‘US plot,’ says Putin

President Vladimir Putin has suggested that a flurry of Russian sports doping allegations could be an American attempt to interfere in next year’s Russian presidential election.

Yesterday, four Russian cross-country skiers were found guilty of doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In all, six Russian skiers have been found guilty by an International Olympics Committee commission.

Mr Putin noted that international sports organisations have a complex mix of “relationships and dependencies”.

He said “the controlling stake is in the United States” where sponsors and television broadcasters are concentrated.

“In response to our alleged interference in their elections, they want to create problems during the election of the president of Russia,” he said.