UK Paralympic Association welcomes suspension of Russian para athletes

The British Paralympic Association has welcomed the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to suspend Russia from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

IPC announced on Sunday the decision to suspend Russian para athletes from the Rio Games, reports Sputnik.

"While we have real sympathy for those individual Russian Paralympians not going to Rio who train and compete clean, it is crucial for the integrity of our sport that those involved as well as the public feel confident that all necessary measures are in place to tackle doping and the playing field is level," the British Paralympic Association said in a statement on Sunday.

"The British Paralympic Association therefore congratulates the IPC on taking a clear stand based on the evidence provided to the McClaren report and their own subsequent investigation."

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

The reports stated that Russia had run a state-controlled doping program.

The 2016 Paralympics are scheduled to be held in Rio from September 7-18.

--IANS

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