WHISTLEBLOWER APPEALS BAN

Russian doping whistleblower Yulia Stepanova is appealing her ban from the Olympics, saying it was based on incorrect information and dubious legal grounds. Stepanova sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee contending she never said she wouldn’t compete for the Russian team, as the IOC stated. The IOC would not make any exception for her to compete under a neutral flag. She says the IOC’s ban of any Russian athlete who has previously served a doping ban is not permitted — a ruling the Court of Arbitration for Sport made in 2011.