IOC exploring legal options over Russia Olympics ban

Omnisports

July 19, 2016 12:54 AM

The IOC is to explore legal options over the possibility of banning all Russian athletes for the Rio Olympic Games following doping allegations

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to explore its legal options over the possibility of banning all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio following the publication of a damning report by Professor Richard McLaren.

An independent Commission, headed up by Professor Richard McLaren, set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday delivered a report that deemed Russia to be guilty of operating a state-dictated system to protect doped athletes.

WADA recommended a complete ban of Russian competitors from the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games following the publication of the report, which concluded that the government, security services and sporting authorities of the country colluded to hide doping across a range of sports.

The IOC's executive board met on Tuesday to discuss potential sanctions for Russia, with track and field athletes from the country already subject to a suspension from the IAAF that prevents them from participating in Rio next month.

It was decided by the executive board that disciplinary actions related to the involvement of officials within the Russian Ministry of Sports and other persons mentioned in the report due to violations of the Olympic Charter and WADA code would start immediately.

The IOC also revealed that it will "explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice."

Russian track and field athletes who maintain they are not guilty of wrongdoing will learn on Thursday if they have been successful with an appeal against the IAAF ban and the IOC said that verdict would be taken into consideration with regards to a potential ban on all athletes from the country competing in Brazil.

Reanalysis, including forensic analysis, and a full inquiry into all Russian athletes who participated in the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi two years ago, as well their coaches, officials and support staff will also be undertaken by the IOC.

All international Olympic winter sports federations have been asked by the IOC to "freeze" their preparations for major events in Russia, such as World Championships, World Cups or other major international competitions under their responsibility, and to "actively look for alternative organisers".

The IOC said it will not grant accreditation to any official of the Russian Ministry of Sport or anyone implicated in report for the Games in Rio.

The organisation also stated that it will not organise or give patronage to any sports event or meeting in Russia, including plans for the European Games 2019 to be staged in the country.

Guy Canivet, vice-chair of the IOC Ethics Commission, has been named chair of the IOC disciplinary commission, with Robin Mitchell, Yang Yang, Andrew Ryan and Wolfgang Schobersberger also appointed.

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday questioned the legitimacy of an McLaren report and the Russian Olympic Committee called for a more complete investigation into allegations of doping cover-ups.

Omnisports

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