Allegations of widespread doping among Russian athletes in the 2012 Olympics are raising questions about whether Canadians who missed the podium will be getting the recognition they deserve.

In B.C., Hilary Stellingwerff is among the Olympians closely watching the scandal unfold. The Victoria track star missed qualifying for the women’s 1,500-metre final by just one spot in 2012.

Three athletes who advanced, including one Russian, have since been banned for doping. A fourth, also from Russia, is now under investigation as well.

“It’s frustrating for sure to know that I missed that opportunity to run in the Olympic final, especially when athletes had tested positive before and were running again,” Stellingwerff said.

She’s just one of the athletes both vindicated and infuriated in light of a scathing report by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has accused Russia’s government of not only covering up, but actively participating in the doping of athletes.

Among the damning allegations are claims the country destroyed lab samples, and paid bribes to bury positive drug tests.

On Tuesday, Russian officials downplayed the scandal, calling the accusations unfounded and political. President Vladimir Putin also presented his athletes with state awards for “defending the honour” of their country.

Richmond, B.C. athlete Evan Dunfee, who has been sounding the alarm over doping in his sport of race walking, called the Russian government’s response “complete garbage.”

He’s now calling for all Russian athletes to be banned from the upcoming 2016 Games in Rio.

“If they’re not going to change by banning individuals, we have to take away their opportunity to showcase their athletes,” Dunfee said. “The only way to do that is ban the federation.”

A full ban could be a tall order, however.

The International Olympic Committee is asking the governing body of track and field to begin disciplinary action against individual cheaters, but there’s no indication the entire Russian team could be suspended.

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Scott Roberts and The Canadian Press