Lausanne, Dec 8 (IANS): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to extend for an indefinite period the provisional measures against Russia over the recent doping scandals.

After a conference call by its board on July 24, the IOC urged international federations for winter sports events to suspend preparations for major competitions in Russia, reports Tass.

The motion was initially in effect until December 31, 2016, but following Wednesday's meeting of the board here, it was extended for an indefinite period.

"The IOC Executive Board has further decided to extend the provisional measures taken on 19 July 2016 against Russia until further notice," the declaration said.

The statement from the IOC Executive Board reiterated that two commissions were established on July 19 to investigate doping allegations against Russia.

"An Inquiry Commission, under the chairmanship of Samuel Schmid, is addressing the alleged government-sponsored system of doping, in particular with regard to the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014."

"A Disciplinary Commission, under the chairmanship of Denis Oswald, is addressing the question of doping and manipulation of samples concerning the Russian athletes participating in the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014. In the context of this Disciplinary Commission, all the samples of all Russian athletes participating in Sochi will be re-analysed," according to the statement.

The IOC also called on both commissions to reinvigorate their contact with Canadian law professor, Richard McLaren, and establish good cooperation with him.

"Once the above-mentioned process is complete, the IOC Executive Board will take all the appropriate measures and sanctions in the context of the Olympic Games, such as disqualification of athletes from competition at the Olympic Games, and the exclusion of implicated officials, entourage or government officials from the Olympic Games," the IOC Executive Board stated.

"Outside the Olympic Games, the International Federations have the authority for any consequential sanctions of athletes and entourage from other international competitions, and potentially the suspension of national federations," the statement added.