The head of Russia’s Wrestling Federation (WFR) says the country’s wrestling team may not compete at the Rio Olympics after recording "tens" of doping cases.
The "epidemic of doping is like a catastrophe," Mikhail Mamiashvili said on March 22, adding that "it could happen that we don't have anyone left to go the Olympics."
Mamiashvili did not specify which banned substances had caused the wrestlers to fail drug tests.
At least 16 Russian sportsmen and women, including world tennis star Maria Sharapova, have been caught using the drug meldonium since it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances on January 1.
Russia finished top of the medal table in wrestling at the 2012 Olympics and won seven gold medals at this year's European championships.
