BY LIAM MENZIES

A RUSSIAN doping programme sponsored by the state benefited more than 1000 of their athletes, a new report claims.

The report’s author Professor Richard McLaren released his final findings this week which revealed Russia’s systematic doping between 2011 and 2015 including four Russian gold-medal winners in Sochi.

The new findings also revealed that two Russian female ice hockey players  at the Sochi games had male urine samples as well as incriminating emails being found from the Russian Ministry of Sport.

Professor McLaren, who was appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, said: “There was a cover up that evolved into an institutional and disciplined medal-wining strategy.

The report added depth and supporting evidence to the initial findings published in July – that Russia operated a state-sponsored doping programme. Russia denied this and called for the International Olympic Committee to find more proof before making these claims.

Professor McLaren said: “It is impossible to know just how deep and how far back this conspiracy goes. For years, international sports competitions have unknowingly been hijacked by the Russians.”