The International Olympic Committee is asking Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev for a "full explanation" of his comments regarding Venus and Serena Williams, as reported by the Associated Press on Monday.

The former Fed Cup captain Tarpischev has been an IOC member since 1994. He was fined $25,000 and suspended from the WTA Tour for a year after referring to the Americans as the "Williams brothers" and saying they were "scary" on a Russian talk show that also featured former World No. 3 Elena Dementieva earlier this month. 

More: Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova Speak out against Tarpischev 

Tarpischev apologized via a letter to the WTA that was published on Sunday. 

“I have the greatest admiration for the Williams sisters, who are among the greatest athletes ever to compete in our sport,” Tarpischev wrote. “However, I understand now that my remarks were wrong and could be construed as discriminatory by the public. That was not my intention but I recognise that I need to make a full apology to the tennis family and especially to the Williams sisters.”

In the AP report, the IOC says it "will directly contact Mr. Tarpischev to ask him for a full explanation of his comments."