Russia’s Track and Field Team Barred From Rio Olympics
Source: The New York Times
Russias track and field team has been barred from competing in this summers Rio Games because of a far-reaching doping conspiracy, an extraordinary punishment that might be without precedent in Olympics history.
The global governing body for track and field, known as the I.A.A.F., announced the decision on Friday, ruling that Russia had not done enough to restore global confidence in the integrity of its athletes.
The International Olympic Committee, the ultimate authority over the Games, is due to discuss the decision on Tuesday. If Olympics officials were to amend the ruling against Russia, it would be an unusual move, as they have historically deferred to the governing bodies for specific sports.
Russian track and field athletes have been suspended from international competition for the last seven months, after the publication of a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency that accused the nation of an elaborate government-run doping program. Though Russia denied those accusations, the countrys track and field authorities did not contest the suspension when given an opportunity in November.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/18/sports/olympics/russia-barred-rio-summer-olympics-doping.html?_r=0
underpants
(182,626 posts)Big move by the IOC.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)I give it 9 replies...maybe 10 before we see it
TwilightZone
(25,428 posts)Igel
(35,274 posts)CanonRay
(14,084 posts)between this and the polluted water for those aquatic events, Zika and the political unrest in Brazil. Who'd want to go? I suppose the swimming will still be good.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)cpwm17
(3,829 posts)iandhr
(6,852 posts)Now if only the World Cup will be moved as well.
TexasMommaWithAHat
(3,212 posts)I'm not at all surprised. Russian athletes have disappeared from events, avoided events, left town, left the country - all in an effort to avoid getting their blood drawn. Officials have been threatened, bribed, and who knows what all.
At least one athlete actually ran off the field and disappeared during the event!
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,568 posts)It would have blown the competition away!