The president of the Russian Athletics Federation says it may take legal action after a German TV report alleged systematic doping among Russian athletes.
Valentin Balakhnichev said the federation believed "the documentary was a provocation aimed at discrediting Russian sport."
He said the federation was considering all its options to fight what he called "slanderous allegations."
At the same time, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency announced on December 5 it had launched its own probe into the allegations.
The hour-long German program aired on December 2 on ZDF/ARD.
The documentary featured an undercover video of what it said were Russian athletes and coaches admitting to covering up positive tests.
The video also alleges corruption and a systematic doping issue among Russian athletes and high-ranking officials.
On December 4, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said they were "grave allegations" made by German TV.