Gorbachev to IOC: Don't punish clean Russian athletes

Moscow: Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev has appealed to IOC not to punish clean Russian athletes.

Gorbachev

"I support the struggle against banned substances in sports.

This is an evil that has to be eradicated. Athletes whose doping has been proven must be barred," Gorbachev said.

"The principle of collective punishment is unacceptable for me."