Three FINA anti-doping experts resign

At least three anti-doping experts of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) have resigned to protest a decision to allow Russian swimmers to compete at 2016 Rio Olympics, Irish media has reported.

In July, FINA declared seven Russian swimmers ineligible to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as the athletes were mentioned in the World Anti-Doping Agency's report by Richard McLaren. This decision was changed after the Russian swimmers filed appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), reports Sputnik.

"Despite the anti-doping expertise of the individuals who make up the DCRB, FINA chose to ignore our advice. We learned of FINA's decisions regarding the eligibility of Russian competitors only by observing the Olympic competition. We were disappointed to note that our recommendations were not followed and even more disappointed to receive no specific response to a subsequent written request for information regarding the reasons for FINA's decision," the resignation letter of the experts said on Saturday.

According to the broadcaster, Professor Andrew Pipe, who chaired FINA's doping control review board (DCRB), is in the group of experts who have signed the resignation letter.

Russia initially applied to send 387 athletes to Brazil. However, only 280 athletes were allowed by the international sport leadership to compete in Rio, as an independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission accused Russia of running a state-wide doping program.

In particular, all Russian track and field athletes, except Darya Klishina, who trains in the United States, were banned from taking part in the Olympics.

--IANS

sam/vt