No concession for dope whistleblower Stepanova
LAUSANNE: Yuliya Stepanova, the Russian 800-metre runner who lifted the lid on systematic doping fraud and corruption in Russian athletics, will not compete in the Rio Olympics next month, the IOC said Sunday.
The IOC said Stepanova, now living in the United States, did not meet the criteria for running under the IOC flag and, because she had committed doping violations, did not satisfy the “ethical requirements” to compete in the games. However, the IOC added that it would invite her and her husband, Vitaly Stepanov, to attend the games.
“However, the IOC EB would like to express its appreciation for Mrs Stepanova’s contribution to the fight against doping and to the integrity of sport,” the International Olympic Committee Executive Board said, after holding emergency talks over Russian participation in Rio.
The rule prohibiting former dopers from competing also rule out swimmer Yulia Efimova, the world champion in the 100-metre breaststroke, 2012 Olympic silver medal-winning weightlifter Tatyana Kashirina and two-time Olympic bronze medal-winning cyclist Olga Zabelinskaya.