俄官员终于承认染指兴奋剂

Russia has been under the microscope for allegedly masterminding a state-sponsored drug ring. Those were the findings from a WADA-sanctioned report.

But Russia was adamant that they were not involved in anything nefarious -- that is until today, as the New York Times has published a report, quoting Anna Antseliovich, the Acting Director General of the country's national anti-doping agency -- that something was going on -- and "it was an institutional conspiracy."

Despite this apparent admission, domestic anti-doping officials are still rejecting claims the Russian government was involved in any way, and instead implying that the controversy is the fault of individual sports administrators.

The investigation that brought this problem to light claimed that more than 1,000 athletes in 30 sports took part in a plan for Russian competitors to be given banned drugs at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the 2012 London Summer Games, and other global events.

WADA's McLaren Report, which unearthed the alleged cover-up, claimed that Russia was falsifying positive tests.

This led to the expulsion of the country's track and field squad from the Rio Summer Olympics, and other world championship level events slated to be held in the nation have been post-poned, or cancelled.

Russia's athletics team remains banned from participating in any international events.