THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it is seeking legal advice over the possibility of excluding all Russian sports stars from the Olympic Games in Rio.On Monday the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recommended that all Russian athletes be banned from the upcoming Rio Olympics after an explosive report into doping.
Track and field athletes are already excluded from this summer’s Olympic Games and WADA’s recommendation in the independent McLaren report published on Monday is that this be extended to Russians from all sports.
The IOC says it will take into account a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) due on July 21 – which will address appeals from Russia athletes against the initial ban – when it takes a final decision.
With regard to the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016, the IOC will carefully evaluate the IP Report,” a statement said.
“It will explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice.
In response to the shocking allegations outlined by WADA, the IOC published a lengthy statement.
“The findings of the report show a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sports and on the Olympic Games. Therefore, the IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organisation implicated,” IOC president Thomas Bach said.
The measures taken by the IOC include the following:
The IOC has “started disciplinary actions related to the involvement of officials within the Russian Ministry of Sports and other persons mentioned in the report because of violations of the Olympic Charter and the World Anti-Doping Code.”
The IOC “will explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice. In this respect, the IOC will have to take the CAS decision on July 21 2016 concerning the IAAF rules into consideration, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Charter.”
The IOC “will not organise or give patronage to any sports event or meeting in Russia. This includes plans for the European Games 2019, organised by the European Olympic Committees (EOC).”
The IOC “will not grant any accreditation to any official of the Russian Ministry of Sport or any person implicated in the IP Report for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016.”
The IOC “will initiate reanalysis, including forensic analysis, and a full inquiry into all Russian athletes who participated in the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 and their coaches, officials and support staff.”