Rio ban for Russian athletics team upheld

Russian athletics was dealt a heavy blow today after the Court of Arbitration for Sport today dismissed their appeal against a ban imposed by the athletics governing body IAAF over state-orchestrated doping.

Two time Olympic gold medallist Elena Isinbayeva will miss out on Rio Olympics after the CAS rejcted Russia's appeal against IAAF's ruling. Reuters/Dylan Martinez

With this ruling, the Russian track and field team comprising 67 athletes will miss out on Rio Olympics which start on 5 August.

The IAAF welcomed the ruling and stated that it has created a level playing field for athletes.

As expected, Russia slammed the ruling with the country’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko terming it a "subjective and politicised" decision with no legal basis.

The ruling will see Russian stars such as pole vault world-record-holder and two-time Olympic gold medallist Yelena Isinbayeva and hurdler Sergey Shubenkov miss out on Rio.

'Funeral for athletics'

Isinbayeva said the ruling would deal a mortal blow to international athletics. She said the decision was a political order and a funeral for athletics.

The IAAF had suspended Russia in November following an inquiry which first mentioned “state-sponsored” doping.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has called for Russia to be completely banned from the Rio Games.

A powerhouse at the Olympics, Russia was the second most successful athletics nation at the London Games, behind the US.