No Games for 15 Russians with life bans for doping, says Olympic body

Fifteen Russians whose life bans for doping were lifted last week have been barred from the Pyeongchang Winter Games, the IOC said on Monday, as Russia’s drugs conspiracy continued to reverberate just days from the opening ceremony.

The decision was taken after a special panel “unanimously recommended that the IOC not extend an invitation to the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018 to the 15 individuals”, a statement said. “The OAR IG (Olympic Athlete from Russia Implementation Group) confirmed that no additional invitations will be extended to these 15 individuals,” the IOC said.

The 15 were among a group of 28 Russians who had been banned for life from the Olympics for doping, but whose suspensions were overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. They included 13 athletes and two ex-athletes now working as support staff. The other members of the 28 have either retired or are unavailable for undisclosed reasons. The IOC has barred Russia from the Pyeongchang Olympics, which open on Friday, over a widespread doping conspiracy. But 169 Russians who have passed anti-doping protocols will compete under a neutral flag.

The announcement comes after the body’s president, Thomas Bach, slammed the CAS decision and called for reforms to the independent sports tribunal.

Bach said, “This CAS decision is extremely disappointing and needs a very careful review. We will clearly review it. If we can appeal it we will appeal it.”

WADA expressed “serious concern” over the decision by CAS, which said it had insufficient evidence to leave the bans in place.

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