Putin calls for crackdown on sports doping

MOSCOW, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he wants Russia to crackdown on athletes who illegally use performance-enhancing drugs.

"Every provision should be made and a state (doping) control mechanism established and we should act vigorously," Putin said. "If necessary, let's also discuss moves to toughen penalties."

Putin's call for tougher measures came at a meeting of the presidential council on sports development for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, RIA Novosti reported.

Earlier this month, three Russian biathlon racers were disqualified from the world championships in South Korea after they tested positive for the banned substance erythropoietin.

Last year, seven Russian women were disqualified from the Olympics in China over allegations they switched urine samples to hide evidence of performance-enhancing drugs, RIA Novosti reported.