IAAF confirms only one Russian for Rio

Athletics’ governing body said Wednesday it had definitively rejected Moscow’s request to review its blanket ban of Russia’s track and field team from next month’s Rio Olympics over state-sponsored doping.

The IAAF reaffirmed a previous decision that ruled only US-based long jumper Darya Klishina was eligible to compete at the Games, which start on August 5, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected a wider appeal.

“We received a letter from minister Mutko yesterday requesting a review of Russian athletes,” the IAAF said in an email to AFP, referring to Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

“We have responded to the minister explaining the IAAF’s eligibility rules have been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“The applications by 68 athletes for eligibility to compete in Rio were assessed carefully and on an individual basis by the IAAF Doping Review Board, and only one of them was found to meet the criteria for exceptional eligibility.

“CAS considered the appeals of the 67 athletes fully and rejected them. There are no grounds for further review.”

International sports federations, aside from the IAAF, have since Sunday been vetting Russian competitors’ suitability for Rio after a damning report last week revealed rampant state-run doping across Russian sport.