Russia suspend officials over doping

Russia has suspended a host of senior sports officials in the wake of the revelation that a widespread state-sponsored doping system operated during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency found that urine samples of Russian competitors were manipulated across the "vast majority" sports, with 580 positive tests covered up across 30 sports in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics in London 2012 and during the Sochi Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on Tuesday whether to provisionally ban Russia from the Rio Olympics and Russian president Vladimir Putin has reacted to the report by suspending a number of government officials.

Anti-doping advisor Natalia Zhelanova and Irina Rodionova, deputy head of Russia's state-funded Sports Preparation Centre have both been suspended along with two other officials

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko will remain in his position, claiming a decision on his suspension rests with Putin.

"My suspension is not being considered - it is a matter for the president and prime minister to decide," R-Sport quoted Mutko as saying.

"There were no accusations made against me and there cannot be because it is absolutely unrealistic and impossible."

Meanwhile, the High Court has ruled that Liliya Shobukhova must repay the prize money she won at the 2010 and 2011 London Marathon.

Shobukhova won in London in 2010 and came second in 2011 but was stripped of her titles in August last year and was subsequently banned by three years and two months.

That suspension was reduced to two years and seven months for assisting WADA in their investigation but the athlete has been ordered to pay back the prize money she won in London.

"The judgement requires Shobukhova to repay 377,961.62 pounds plus costs... which is the prize and appearance money paid to Shobukhova for the 2010 and 2011 London Marathons," Organisers said in a statement.