WADA disappointed by IOC decision

The World Anti-Doping Agency is 'disappointed' by the International Olympic Committee's decision not to ban Russia from next month's Rio Olympics.

The IOC had been expected to impose a blanket ban on Russia after a WADA report found evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping, but the executive board has opted to allow all international sports federations to make their own decision on Russia's participation.

"Entry (to the Rio Olympics) will be accepted by the IOC only if an athlete is able to provide evidence to the full satisfaction of his or her international federation," a statement from the IOC read.

The IAAF has already banned Russian athletes from competing at the Olympics but other federations must now establish whether competitors meet the criteria set out to allow them to compete in Brazil.

WADA had called for Russia to be banned from the Rio Olympics and the organisation has expressed its disappointment at the IOC's failure to accept its recommendation.

“WADA is disappointed that the IOC did not heed WADA’s Executive Committee recommendations that were based on the outcomes of the McLaren Investigation and would have ensured a straight-forward, strong and harmonized approach,” said Sir Craig Reedie, President, WADA.

“The McLaren Report exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport embodied within the World Anti-Doping Code."

Olivier Niggli, Director General, WADA, added: “While WADA fully respects the IOC’s autonomy to make decisions under the Olympic Charter, the approach taken and the criteria set forward will inevitably lead to a lack of harmonization, potential challenges and lesser protection for clean athletes.”