CRI听力:IOC to Strip Medals amid Russia Doping Scandal

Russian officials are moving to distance themselves from allegations of wide-spread doping among the country's athletes.

The International Olympic Committee has convened an urgent meeting of its executive to consider what action to take in response to the corruption and doping crisis now engulfing track and field.

IOC President Thomas Bach says they are considering all their options, including stripping Russian athletes of their medals.

"I've made it clear that we will, once we get the relevant information from IAAF, withdraw and reallocate medals with regard to Russian athletes which may have been doped."

In response, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says its their belief the IOC is offering a knee-jerk reaction to the reports.

"These are not the first accusations against Russia and Russian sport. Generally I would not say that they accuse the ministry or myself personally. The report by the commission itself and the conclusions by the commission do not say that. This seems to be an emotional statement by the chairman of the commission, his way of understanding the situation, not more than that. And the conclusions by the commission did not reveal any unexpected facts for Russia."

The World Anti-Doping Agency is recommending track and field's governing body, the IAAF, suspend the Russian Federation from competition amid allegations Russian Sports Agencies routinely paid-off leading IAAF officials, including former President Lamine Diack, to cover-up positive drug tests among its athletes.

The IOC has decided to suspend Diack as an honorary IOC member after the 80-year old was charged with corruption by French authorities last week.

Diack retired as the President of the IAAF earlier this year after the World Championships in Beijing.