Russian track and field athletes look set to miss out on Olympics as IAAF upholds ban
IAAF upholds suspension imposed last November after World Anti-Doping Agency report alleged state-sponsored cheating, corruption and cover-ups
The IAAF upheld its ban on Russia’s track and field team for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Friday in a landmark decision that punishes the world power for systematic doping.
The Russian sports ministry said it was notified of the decision by track and field’s world governing body, which ruled that the country had not done enough to earn reinstatement.
The suspension was imposed last November following a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency commission that alleged state-sponsored cheating, corruption and cover-ups in Russian track and field.
The IAAF, however, did leave the door ajar for some track and field stars to compete at Rio.
The IAAF council, headed by Sebastian Coe, said Russian athletes based outside of the Russian system “could potentially return to international competition as neutrals once their cases are reviewed by our doping review board”.
The Russian ministry said it was “extremely disappointed” by the decision to ban the entire team from the Rio Games. It appealed to the IOC to “consider the impact that our athletes’ exclusion will have on the dreams and the people of Russia”.