In a blog published on insidethegames, FISU President Oleg Matytsin, who was born in Russia, claimed the governing body had “repeatedly” asked for WADA’s evidence on Russian Universiade competitors after Richard McLaren unveiled the initial findings “but was sent none”.

He revealed sanctions could be imposed on athletes prior to the next edition of the Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan, next year.

“Following Prof McLaren’s revelations, FISU was quick to act,” Matytsin wrote.

“Only after Prof McLaren conducted his report did WADA comply with our requests to provide evidentiary packages related to athletes named during McLaren’s investigation.

“FISU is now examining these."

Matystin said disciplinary cases would be opened in partnership with the International Federations (IFs) and athletes could be sanctioned before the Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade, due to run from January 28 to February 8.

“FISU is determined to ensure fairness for student athletes competing in Almaty and beyond and correct past results where necessary,” the Russian added.

The FISU head offered a stern defence of the anti-doping system in place at the Kazan Universiade in 2013, where the sample-swapping programme put in place by Russia was first trialled.

McLaren confirmed when releasing part two of the report in London earlier this month that the Universiade in the Russian city three years’ ago was used as a testing ground for the manipulation of doping samples, which was then established across major events such as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In reacting to the report, FISU said they were “deeply concerned by McLaren’s conclusion that sample swapping was trialled at Kazan 2013”.

“In the second part of his WADA Independent Person report Richard McLaren, the professor of sports law from Western University in Ontario, claimed a link between the Kazan 2013 Universiade and efforts to undermine anti-doping work,” Matystin said.

“At the time, FISU had no reason to suspect the results of a comprehensive testing programme that was fully compliant with WADA policies.

“Indeed, FISU has always made extra effort with its anti-doping work, particularly conscious of the education context in which we work.

“Together with WADA, we have even developed a textbook that enables students to gain academic credit by learning about anti-doping.”

Russia comfortably finished at the summit of the medals table at Kazan 2013, claiming a record haul of 292, 156 of which were gold.

They earned almost half of the gold medals on offer and won a quarter of all medals up for grabs.