The International Olympic Committee has claimed that athletes found guilty of doping or cover-ups could be stripped of their medals.

A World Anti-Doping Agency independent committee has called for Russia to be banned from athletics competition amid allegations of widespread doping, cover-ups and extortion.

A detailed report from the committee included recommendations for five athletes and five coaches to be issued with lifetime bans.

A statement from the IOC read: "The IOC has asked the IAAF to initiate disciplinary procedures against all athletes, coaches and officials who have participated in the Olympic Games and are accused of doping in the report of the independent commission.

"With its zero-tolerance policy against doping following the conclusion of this procedure, the IOC will take all the necessary measures and sanctions with regard to the withdrawal and reallocation of medals and as the case may be exclusion of coaches and officials from future Olympic Games."

More than 1,400 samples were destroyed by a laboratory in Moscow.