The International Association of Athletics Federations banned Russia’s track and field team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as a result of extensive doping and corruption charges.
The governing body’s announcement comes as no surprise given that in 2015 the IAAF barred the Russian track and field athletes from other competitions after the World Anti-Doping Agency found systemic doping and corruption by Russian athletes and sports officials.
The New York Times reported that Russia denied committing any violations, but did not contest the suspension back in November.
In response to the IAAF decision on Friday, the Russian ministry stated that “we now appeal to the members of the International Olympic Committee to not only consider the impact that our athletes’ exclusion will have on their dreams and the people of Russia, but also that the Olympics themselves will be diminished by their absence.” – Read The Full Story Here
