MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Moscow is disappointed by the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to maintain sanctions against Russian athletes, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

File photo: AP

"We are disappointed by this decision, we generally regret this decision," Peskov said, commenting on the IOC's move to keep in place the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee's membership and recommendations on sanctions against Russian athletes.

Peskov added that Russia would continue dialogue with the IOC on the return of its athletes to the international sports arena.

Earlier, the IOC announced that it would maintain the restrictive measures, citing, among other reasons, concerns over an inspection by the World Anti-Doping Agency into Russia's anti-doping system. Meanwhile, the IOC lifted its restrictions for Belarusian athletes.