Optimistic Russian Sport Minister Says Doping Scandal Will Be 'Figured Out'

By The Moscow Times

April 12, 2016

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko Sergei Porter / Vedomosti

Russian Sport Minister Vitaly Mutko said that he believes that the problems created by the meldonium doping scandal ?€” the biggest in Russia?€™s history ?€” will soon be resolved, the state-run R-Sport news agency reported Tuesday.

?€?We will figure out the situation with meldonium, everything will be fine. It was a pitfall. I hope that in the coming days there will be good news. [The issue with meldonium] is not only related to Russia,?€? the lawmaker said in a meeting with figure skaters Yevgeny Medvedev and Anna Pogorilaya, R-Sport reported.

?€?I think there will be a solution to the matter in the near future, but for the most part, Russian sport is developing. Fundamentally, Russian sport is a world leader and no attempts to cast a shadow over this with some kind of doping scandal can change that,?€? he added.

The doping scandal connected to the use of meldonium ?€” banned since Jan. 1, 2016 ?€” came to light at the beginning of March. Tennis star Maria Sharapova is the highest profile Russian athlete to test positive for the drug.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue