Resurgent Russia eyes Tokyo Olympics after doping troubles
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s sports minister thinks the country will emerge from the shadow of doping scandals before the Tokyo Olympics open in exactly one year, and become a force in the medals table again.
Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov says “we’re not thinking about lawsuits or arguments,” adding that “in most sports, even in sports where we didn’t have great results a while back, we will be competing for medals.”
Russia won just 19 gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, its lowest count since Soviet days.
That was partly down to measures imposed in the wake of Russian doping cases which meant Russia was allowed to field only one athlete in track and field and none in weightlifting. Those measures will be relaxed for next year.
