Arbitration court to fast-track Russia's plea over athletes

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has decided to fast-track the Russian Olympic Committee's (OCR) petition in defence of track and field athletes who want to perform at the Olympic Games in Brazil next month, the CAS announced on Monday.

The sides have agreed on the accelerated procedure of hearing the lawsuit, a decision on which will be announced no later than July 21, the CAS website said, reports Tass.

"In their request for arbitration, the ROC and the 68 athletes request the CAS in particular to review the validity, enforceability and scope of IAAF Competition Rules 22.1(a) and 22.1A, and to order that any Russian athlete who is not currently the subject of any period of ineligibility for the commission of an anti-doping rule violation may participate at the 2016 Olympic Game," CAS said in a statement.

On November 13, 2015, the world athletics governing body IAAF suspended the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) from IAAF membership. The suspension was confirmed on November 26, 2015, and on June 17, 2016.

Pursuant to Rule 22.1 of the IAAF competition rules, athletes whose national federation is suspended by the IAAF are ineligible for competitions held under the IAAF rules.

--IANS

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