IOC rules out blanket ban on Russia from Rio Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday decided to leave it to individual sports' federations to decide on Russian sportspersons' entry into next month's Olympics, ruling out a blanket ban on the country's Olympic body.

"Entry will be accepted by the IOC only if an athlete is able to provide evidence to the full satisfaction of his or her International Federation (IF)," IOC said in a statement after a meeting with its Executive Board.

"The IFs should carry out an individual analysis of each athlete's anti-doping record, taking into account only reliable adequate international tests, and the specificities of the athlete's sport and its rules, in order to ensure a level playing field," it added.

The International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) has suspended the Russian athletics body and also turned down the applications of 68 athletes, barring long jumper Darya Klishina.

The IOC verdict comes after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s Independent Commission urged a ban on Russian athletes from all international sports competitions.

The WADA committee had given its suggestion following its findings that Russia's Sports Ministry and the Center for the Training of Russian National Teams and the Federal Security Service supported the doping programme in the country's sports late 2011 to August 2015.

Competitors from Russia who want to take part in the Games will have to meet strict criteria laid down by the IOC.

Any Russian athlete who has served a doping ban will not be eligible for next month's Olympics.

However, IOC warned that additional sanctions and measures may be imposed following the final report of the IP and due legal procedure by the IOC Disciplinary Commission.

The IOC also confirmed it will not allow whistle-blower Yulia Stepanova to compete as a neutral athlete in Rio.

--IANS

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