蜜芽传媒

Tougher penalties for drug cheats in sport will be introduced on Thursday, with the World Anti-Doping Agency's maximum ban increasing from 2 years to 4. This will take cheats out of an Olympic Games.

The new code comes into force as WADA begins an investigation into allegations of systematic doping in Russian athletics.

The President of WADA, Sir Craig Reedie, told Today's Sonali Shah: "Clearly there is an issue and it's really important that track and field deal with it. It's really important that the other sports ...take it seriously."

"It wont happen quickly. This might take 6 to 9 months."

First broadcast Today programme 1 January 2015.