Russia avoids doping ban

RUSSIA is reportedly set to escape a ban from next year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea and will instead be handed a large fine for endemic doping.

The International Olympic Committee is understood to be close to issuing what has been described as an “F1- style” fine similar to the $ US100 million sanction slapped on McLaren in 2007 for spying on Ferrari. That would be imposed instead of excluding Russia from Games in PyeongChang in February.

Senior anti- doping officials have said they believe the IOC and Russia have already agreed the terms of the sanction. This includes the wording of an apology to be made by a senior Russian official.