More than 1,000 Russian athletes in summer, winter and Paralympic sports were involved in a widespread state-sponsored doping system akin to an "institutional conspiracy" Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren claimed when he published the second part of his report in London.

Zhukov, like most observers here, has dismissed the findings of the Report.

"No system of state support for doping in Russia has ever existed or exists," he told Russia's official news agency TASS.

"Considering any concrete facts, they should be studied more thoroughly."

Zhukov claimed that any doubts about the current system in Russia are unfounded because it is now being overseen by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).

He believes that this means Russia should not be punished by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by being banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

"We are open for cooperation with all international organisations, both with WADA and with IOC," said Zhukov.

"We have amended our laws and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is now absolutely independent. 

"From the point of view of financing the organisation, it has even increased. 

"We have made a special provision in the budget. 

"Everything has been done to enhance anti-doping efforts.

"McLaren noted that Russia did a lot, which he assessed positively.

"We are talking about changing legislation, stepping up fight against doping. 

"In fact, our position is the irreconcilable struggle against doping, and we are doing everything we can for this. 

"We introduced criminal responsibility for forcing someone to take doping.

"McLaren was asked this question [about allowing Russians to compete at Pyeongchang 2018]. 

"He said that this is not his competence, this is the issue of International Olympic Committee and International Federations. 

"This requires additional analysis and inspections. 

"I can confirm - we are open, even foreigners work at the Russian Anti-Doping Agency.

"The Russian anti-doping system should be restored in full volume, the rights of RUSADA should be restored, and the laboratory should be restored as soon as possible so it can work efficiently.

"Foreigners are now taking tests, checks have been completed abroad for over a year. If someone doubts the quality of our athletes’ tests, this is now the question exclusively for UK Anti-Doping and for foreign doping officers. 

"This system is now functioning externally,"

Meanwhile, Russia's new Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov claimed that Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, was to blame for the scandal.

McLaren alleged that Rodchenkov had developed a cocktail of drugs to help Russian athletes prepare for the Olympics and Paralympics at London 2012 and Sochi 2014 and a scheme to help them avoid detection. 

"Russian law enforcement agencies are dealing with certain violations, or in my view, even crimes committed, in particular, by Mr Rodchenkov and his possible accomplices," Kolobkov, a five-time Olympic fencing medallist, including a gold at Sydney 2000, told TASS.

"It could be great if other states investigate anti-doping violations as steadfastly as we do. 

"On the other hand, it is pleasant that Mr McLaren has noticed our efforts to clear Russian sport from doping. 

"I would like to emphasise that we do not do it under pressure since we are the most motivated side to have sport clean."