WITH less than two weeks to go before competition begins at the Olympic Games, Richard McLaren’s investigation detailing systematic doping violations in the Russian Olympic team has been published. The International Olympic Committee however has declined to issue a blanket ban on Russian competitors taking part in Rio 2016.
11 Russian boxers have qualified for Rio and AIBA, the international federation, will review their anti-doping records. In a statement AIBA said, “AIBA has taken note and supports the Decision of the IOC Executive Board concerning the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
“We are reviewing and analyzing, on a case by case basis, the anti-doping record of the 11 Russian boxers currently qualified for Rio 2016. This information and the decision of AIBA in respect of the athlete’s eligibility will be submitted to the IOC for confirmation in due course. AIBA remains committed to the WADA Code and will deal with any breach of the AIBA Anti-Doping Regulations.”
WADA stands by its recommendation that the IOC decline entries for Rio 2016 of all athletes submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee. “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 of 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.”
