Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev assessed that today's decision by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is a "manifestation of chronic anti-Russian hysteria".
"The fact is that these decisions are repeated and often applied to those athletes who have already been punished in one way or another... It seems that this is a continuation of the anti-Russian hysteria, which has already become chronic," Medvedev said in Gorky, reports TASS.
WADA today suspended Russia for four years from all major sports competitions for manipulating doping data.
"I recently said in an interview that, on the Russian side, there are still problems with doping. It is impossible to deny that," added Medvedev.
He, however, stated that all relevant organizations in the country should appeal against WADA's decision.
Today's decision by WADA means that the Russian national anthem and flag will not be allowed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, athletes who prove that they did not participate in the doping scandal will be able to compete at the Olympic Games under special conditions and under a neutral flag.
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