Zhukov, the new President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), has made rebuilding the country's reputation for clean sport a priority following a series of doping scandals that led to the International Ski Federation (FIS) threatening to ban them from Sochi if they did not clean up their act.

"It's been a problem for Russia but now we are very active fighting against doping," Zhukov told insidethegames during the Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) here in the Serbian capital.

"We have new legislation passed last May and also we have a new Russian anti-doping agency.

"We are using new technology [to catch the cheats]."

The FIS had warned the Russians in June that they risked being suspended from international competition after several of their skiers failed drugs tests.

Following the warning, Russian officials fired several cross-country skiing coaches and support staff who worked with skiers caught using the banned blood-booster Erythropoietin (EPO).

Gian Franco Kasper, the President of the FIS, lifted the threat earlier this month following the sanctions taken by the Russians.

"A good example is the ski federation in Russia - they have fired eight coaches and now they have been congratulated by Mr Kasper in their fight against doping," said Zhukov.

But there is still a long way to go before Russia sheds its reputation for systematic doping.

Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and John Fahey, the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have both warned Russia that they must sort the problem out if it is not to overshadow Sochi 2014.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has promised that they will get on top of the situation.

"We will be operating a zero tolerance policy towards doping and any coaches found to be involved will be fired," said Zhukov.

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