Russia takes 'important first steps' to Rio says Olympics chief

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says Russia has taken "important first steps" to reform the country's anti-doping program.

Russia's track and field athletes are indefinitely banned from global competition and could miss the Olympics in Rio.

The country's athletics federation was provisionally suspended by the IAAF last week following a report by a WADA-appointed commission that accused the country of operating a state-backed doping program.

Bach confirmed he had spoken with the Russian Olympic Committee chief Alexander Zhukov, who informed him of "some first very important steps" taken by the country to get its house in order on doping.

Bach said: "These important steps include renewal, include new people and include also new inquiries."

The Russian committee issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to punish athletes, coaches and officials involved in doping to ensure Russia can return to track and field competition at next year's Olympics.

The committee also said it planned to expel former Russian athletics federation president Valentin Balakhnichev from its executive body. Balakhnichev has been accused of participating in a plan to extort money from marathon runner Liliya Shobukhova.

Balakhnichev has also been expelled from Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisory council on sport and fitness, the ROC said.

Bach was speaking in Prague at the general assembly of the European Olympic Committees.