Russian Paralympians break 25 world records at alternative games

Russian Paralympians broke 25 world records at an alternative games organised after the country's national team had been banned from participating in the 2016 Rio Games, the Russian Sports Ministry said Monday.

The ministry said in a statement that 12 records were beaten in athletics, another 12 in swimming and one in pistol shooting, reports Xinhua.

A total of 266 athletes participated in the alternative games held in Moscow and its region from September 7-10.

On August 7, the International Paralympic Committee decided to bar the whole Russian Paralympic team from taking part in the 2016 Summer Paralympics following a World Anti-Doping Agency report accusing the Russian state of manipulating a doping control process.

The Russian Paralympic Committee appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but it was rejected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia would organise alternative competitive events for the banned team and the national awards for the Paralympians would be equal to those promised at the 2016 Rio Games.

--IANS

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