Vitaly Mutko acknowledged on Tuesday that there is doping in the national sport and criticized mainly the athletic coaches, who, he said, "do not know how he works without him."
The comments come the day after the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) has suspended the country because of the doping scandal unveiled in 2016 - suspected of state sponsorship.
With this, Russian athletes should miss the August World Cup in London.
"It's time for them to retire," said Mutko, one of those accused of covering up the scandals. "The athletes have broken the rules, and many technicians do not know how to work without doping.
WADA investigator accuses Russia of new doping scandal involving more than 1000 athletes
The deputy premier, however, said that the doping scandal is not just in the sport of his country and assured that the IAAF praised the efforts.
"We have done a great job, but there is still a lot to be done (to stop Russian doping)." This happens when there are no clear criteria, Clear rules, "he said.
