Russian athletes will escape criminal charges over doping scandal

Russia’s sports minister has said no one will face criminal charges over the worst doping scandal in the country’s history.

A report in November by a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) commission alleged systematic, state-sponsored drug use in Russian track and field and a widespread cover-up of doping.

The former head of the Russian track federation was accused of a role in extorting €450,000 from a marathon runner and was later banned for life from track and field.