The International Olympic Committee decided on July 24 not to ban the entire Russian team, consisting of almost 400 athletes, from Summer Games that open Friday in Rio de Janeiro.
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“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has taken note of the views expressed by some concerning the timing of publication of the Agency’s independent McLaren Investigation Report, which was published by Professor Richard H. McLaren on 18 July, exposing Russian State manipulation of the doping control process; and, the Agency’s subsequent recommendations – both that led to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision of 24 July”.
Pressure for a full ban grew after WADA investigator Richard McLaren issued a report accusing Russia’s sports ministry of orchestrating a vast doping conspiracy involving athletes across more than two dozen summer and winter Olympic sports.
“In a time when the country is divided politically, economically and socially, the transformation of Rio de Janeiro is truly historic”.
Bach’s position received support from most of the speakers during the debate, with the strongest criticism coming from Canadian member Dick Pound, a former president of WADA who has been outspoken in calling for a complete ban on Russian Federation – something he had previously called “the nuclear option”.
Nadal is scheduled to carry the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony on Friday night at the Maracana stadium.
“It puts their efforts into perspective and highlights their tremendous achievements”, Bach said.
Bach again blamed the World Anti-Doping Agency for failing to act sooner on evidence of state-backed doping in Russian Federation and releasing its findings so close to the start of the games.
IOC Athletes Commission Chair Claudia Bokel added, “Sport shows by example how we can all peacefully co-exist, just as the athletes do in the Olympic Village during the Olympic Games”.
Ruggiero won a hockey gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, along with silver medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City and 2010 Vancouver Games, and bronze in Turin in 2006.
In a timely boost for Los Angeles’ bid for the 2024 Games, the United States is getting a second member on the International Olympic Committee’s ruling executive board. The IOC also ruled that any Russian athletes with prior doping sanctions could not compete in the Rio Games, which open Friday.
Ruggiero will join Anita DeFrantz on the 15-member board.
The new candidates are former race walker Sari Essayah of Finland; world governing bob and skeleten federation chief Ivo Ferriani of Italy; Luis Moreno of Colombia; Auvita Rapilla of Papua New Guinea; Anant Singh of South Africa; Canadian Olympic committee president Tricia Smith; Austria Olympic committee chief Karl Stoss and India’s Nita Ambani.
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Some of the worst pollution is in Rio’s Guanabara Bay, which will host the sailing competition. Andrada says: “We could and should have done a little better”.
