Russian Track Team Banned From Rio Olympics

Track and field’s world governing body announced on Friday that the Russian team will not be allowed to participate in the Rio Olympics this summer, stating that Russia had not done enough to restore global confidence in the integrity of its athletes after an enormous doping scandal rocked the sports world earlier this year.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe said that the decision to uphold Russia’s suspension was made unanimously by the IAAF council. Coe said that while Russia has made progress in fighting doping, not enough has been done and Russian athletes could not “credibly return to the Olympics.”

“I think it sends a very, very powerful message,” Coe said about the ban during a press conference. “I think it sends a strong message from the IAAF that this is a non-negotiable proposition.”

The lack of Russian athletes in the track and field events is sure to be felt in Rio. In 2012, Russia took a total of 16 track medals, including 8 golds.

In a statement released after the news broke, the Russian Ministry of Sport issued a statement saying that it is “extremely disappointed in the IAAF’s decision” and that it will now appeal to the IOC to reconsider the ban.

Please see a statement from the Russian Ministry of Sport regarding the IAAF decision. pic.twitter.com/Mbtm5LayKY

— Natalia Zhelanova (@Zhelanova) 17 de junio de 2016

An amendment to the suspension allows certain Russian athletes to compete independently if they can demonstrate that they are clean. (Some whistleblowers may also be allowed to compete.) IAAF officials warned that while these amendments were made, it will be very difficult for Russian athletes to be approved.

“The crack in the door that is open to apply for this is quite narrow,” Rune Andersen, a Norwegian international anti-doping expert and chair of the IAAF Inspection Team, said about these exemptions.

“The easiest way would have been to say Russian Athletic Federation is not reinstated and there is no exceptions. That would’ve been the easy way. We have been advised by outside counsel that in order for this to stand up to the proportionality rule, if you wish, then there should be a way out,” Anderson said about the decision to amend the suspension.

The International Olympic Committee has final say on the ban, though the IOC typically agrees with the decisions of individual governing bodies. The IOC is scheduled to discuss the ban on Tuesday. Coe said that the IOC should uphold the IAAF’s decision.

Following the IAAF’s announcement, USA Track & Field (USATF) released a statement supporting the council’s decision. USATF wrote that the suspension of RUSAF is “the only proper course of action given the compelling and powerful evidence presented to the Council.”

Athletes took to Twitter to react to the news.

For those Russians athletes upset by this potential ruling, direct your anger at your own countries inadequacies. #Rio2016#Russians

— Kelly Sotherton (@KellySotherton) 17 de junio de 2016

Ok. So they will have to be tested by a reputable system outside of Russia, bit happier with that, only a bit! https://t.co/cBKH5gFooc

— Nathan Douglas (@NathanJDouglas) 17 de junio de 2016

And your country has destroyed “clean athletes’ dreams” for decades. Not a nice feeling is it? https://t.co/C4bGrvvoMV

— Lynsey Sharp (@LynseySharp) 17 de junio de 2016

Sad day for Russian ATHLETES. The people in charge, guiding Russian Athletics should be the ones punished- they created the culture of dope

— trey hardee (@treyhardee) 17 de junio de 2016

While I empathize w clean Russian athletes, we need real consequences to deter doping. Big day for clean athletes. https://t.co/XoQgMzwgco

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) 17 de junio de 2016