Shut out by IOC, Russians appeal

The 15 have made an “urgent application” at the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging the IOC decision to deny them invitations to the Winter Olympics

Pyeongchang, Feb. 7: Fifteen Russians denied a spot at the Pyeongchang Olympics despite having life bans for doping overturned have launched a fresh bid to take part, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Wednesday.

The 15 have made an “urgent application” challenging the International Olympic Committee’s decision to deny them invitations to the Games, which came after the sports court controversially lifted their life bans last week.

“They request that Cas overturn the IOC decision and allow them to participate in these Games as Olympic Athletes from Russia,” a statement from the sports tribunal said, just two days before the Olympics open.

Cas’ lifting of the life bans of 28 Russians was strongly criticised by the IOC and World AntiDoping Agency. Thirteen of the group have either retired or are unavailable for undisclosed reasons. ●

The latest appeal comes as Cas also considers a separate bid by 32 Russians, including South Koreanborn speed skater Victor An, to take part in the Games.

The legal bids come after the IOC banned Russia’s team from the Pyeongchang Olympics following the discovery of a widespread, state- sponsored doping scandal.

However, the IOC opened a loophole when it said a group of Russian athletes deemed “clean” could take part under a neutral flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia”.

Currently 167 Russians are due to compete at the Games.

— AP Canadian ice dancers Tessa Virtue ( left) and Scott Moir at a practice session on Wednesday in Gangneung, South Korea, ahead of the Winter Olympics that begin in Pyeongchang on Friday.