Rio 2016: Russian team will not face blanket ban from Olympics after doping scandal, IOC says

The International Olympic Committee will not impose a blanket ban on Russia for next month's Rio Olympics over the nation's doping record but will leave decisions on individual athletes' participation with their sports federations, it said.

The IOC's announcement follows the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) call for a Rio ban in response to the independent McLaren report that found evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The world governing body's ruling 15-member executive board met on Sunday via teleconference and decided that responsibility for ruling on the eligibility of Russians remains with the international federations.
"We have set the bar to the limit," IOC president Thomas Bach said after the meeting, defending the action against the worst doping scandal in the Olympic movement's history.

The Russian athletics team was already banned from Rio for state-sponsored doping, and the IOC also rejected a bid by Russian whistleblower and 800-metre runner Yuliya Stepanova to compete as a neutral athlete after the ban.

"However, the IOC EB would like to express its appreciation for Mrs Stepanova's contribution to the fight against doping and to the integrity of sport," the IOC Executive Board said.
Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the decision cleared the way for Russian participation.

"I hope that the majority of international federations will very promptly confirm the right of [Russian] sportspeople in different types of sports to take part in the Olympic Games," Mr Mutko said.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said the IOC had failed to show leadership with its decision.

"Many, including clean athletes and whistleblowers, have demonstrated courage and strength in confronting a culture of state-supported doping and corruption within Russia," USADA chief Travis Tygart said.
"Disappointingly, however, in response to the most important moment for clean athletes and the integrity of the Olympic Games, the IOC has refused to take decisive leadership.

"The decision regarding Russian participation and the confusing mess left in its wake is a significant blow to the rights of clean athletes."

 @gidabudays

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