Russian para athletes banned for political reasons: World Archery

The suspension of Russian athletes from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was made for political reasons and contravenes the main principle of the Paralympic movement, the international governing body for the sport of archery has said.

In July, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) urged the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to suspend Russia from the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro following a report of its independent commission led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, reports Sputnik.

The report said that Russia had run a state-controlled doping program.

"World Archery strongly disagrees with the ban, which goes against the principles of inclusion and fair play," a World Archery statement said on Sunday.

"And considers the decision to have been taken based on a report that is unfinished and should remain ongoing until its mandate is completed, as stated by the IOC and WADA."

"It impairs clean impaired athletes for a second time when compared to their Olympic counterparts, for political reasons rather than sporting," the organisation said.

It added that the IPC decision was made without proper consultation with the relevant sports federations and against their interest.

According to the statement, World Archery's (WA) executive board will convene on Monday for a regular meeting and will discuss ways to protect clean Russia athletes, as well as possible effects of the IPC's decision.

IPC President Philip Craven announced the suspension of Russian athletes from the 2016 Rio Paralympics on Sunday.

--IANS

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