MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) is in full compliance with the requirements of the Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), FIAS President Vasily Shestakov said.

"We have a letter from WADA confirming that FIAS meets all the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code," Shestakov told a news conference. "We host different Anti-Doping educational seminars for the athletes and coaches at the international events on a regular basis."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued on November 30 its provisional recognition for Sambo as an Olympic sport, which can help the Russia-originated wrestling to officially enter the Olympic program in the future and to secure a financial assistance on behalf of the global Olympic body.

"There is still a lot of work to be done for us and we need to finalize the Sambo development’s strategy, which we must submit with the IOC," Shestakov said adding that "the IOC had proved once again that sports is beyond the politics."

"They [the IOC] have a sound view on the modern world developments," the FIAS chief said. "It helped us to be recognized."

Sambo wrestling originated in Russia in the 1920s, when soldiers of the then-Soviet Army developed their own hand-to-hand combat technique. The word Sambo is a Russian acronym, which stands for "self-defense without weapons."

According to most recent statistics, provided by the All-Russia Sambo Federation, over 500,000 Russians practiced Sambo as of today and the figure includes over 230,000 children.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2016, speaking about Sambo wrestling and its global perspectives, that the Russia-originated wrestling should be included in the Olympic program, but it would require a lengthy and labor-consuming period.

Shestakov also said that the FIAS had been always enjoying support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is also the president emeritus of the FIAS, as the organization sought the recognition on behalf of the global Olympic body.

"I would like to particularly thank FIAS President Emeritus Vladimir Putin, as we have enjoyed his care and assistance in the promotion of the sport of Sambo and in the obtainment of our current status," Shestakov added.