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Russia reject 'systematic doping' claims
Russia have refuted Olympic committee claims that they are engaged in "systematic doping".Arne Ljungqvist, head of the IOC's medical commission and the world anti- doping agency, has accused the nation of "planned cheating" after several of its leading contenders for honours tested positive for drug use. But the Russian team are determined not to let the drugs incident tarnish the reputation of their entire Olympic squad.
"To say it is systematic is premature," said spokesman Gennady Schvets.
"When in the United States they discovered the Balco laboratories, it was sad but they didn't say that the whole of US sport was involved in doping. It is strange that someone has said there is systematic doping. These situations are very unpleasant."
But Ljungqvist has refused to back down and has called for four-year bans for those involved.
He said:"This does seem to be an example of systematic planned doping, and under the new WADA code that would mean an expanded ban of four years."
Athens 1500m silver medallist Tatyana Tomashova is among the accused athletes, as is Vladimir Kanaikin - the former walking world record holder.