Latvia to boycott bobsleigh world meet in Russia

Latvia will boycott the upcoming Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships in Russia due to doping allegations against the host country, according to official statement.

The tournament will be held in Sochi from February 13-26, next year, reports Sputnik.

So far, the US athletes voiced concern over the doping control situation in Russia and the US Olympic Committee approved a possible boycott.

The latest iteration of the Russian doping scandal began with Friday's publication of the second part of the McLaren report on alleged Russian doping abuse by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), revealing manipulations by athletes in 30 sporting disciplines.

"Enough time has passed since first public WADA and IOC announcements regarding dirty athletes in our sport. As members of skeleton sport community we feel that more can still be done to make it right. Now, according to latest reports, we say -- enough is enough," the Latvian team said in a statement on its website on Sunday.

"And while our international federation is still going to: 'read and digest the report,' we will do what WE can- we will be glad to race in World Championships at any track of the world, but WE ARE NOT PARTICIPATING in World Championships in Sochi, Russia -- a place where Olympic spirit was stolen in 2014."

--IANS

sam/dg