Four Russian skiers draw Games bans

The International Olympic Committee announced penalties to four Russian cross-country skiers on Thursday for doping violations at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, prompting criticism from Russian President Vladimir Putin with the country’s outlook for the Olympics in February in limbo. Yuliia Ivanova, Alexey Petukhov, Evgeniya Shapovalova and Maksim Vylegzhanin were disqualified and barred from future Olympics. Putin called the decisions a U.S. attempt to undermine Russia.