Amid allegations of widespread cheating in Russian Federation, the International Olympic Committee has drawn criticism from athletes, anti-doping officials and the media for its recent decision not to ban the country entirely.
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Juan Antonio Samaranch, son of the seventh president of the IOC, and IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Claudia Bokel were also included in the commission.
Rio Olympic organizers say water and gas leaks, blocked toilets, and electrical faults that have slowed teams from moving into the Athletes Village may have been caused by isolated cases of sabotage.
In response to the state-run doping scheme, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opted not to issue a blanket ban of Russian athletes from the Rio Games, stating that kind of action would not protect the rights of Russias clean athletes.
But Bach said he didn’t think that the incident would turn out to be damaging for the Rio Games.
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on Saturday said that he expects 266 athletes from the European nation to be cleared for the Games in Brazil, which start on Friday.
IOC President Thomas Bach, however, announced on Sunday that Russian athletes, with the exception of field and track competitors, were allowed to participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics based on individual approval of each respective worldwide sports federation or association.
As part of the IOC’s alternate approach, the Russians are not being afforded a presumption of innocence and – unlike athletes from other countries – can not compete if they previously have been caught cheating, even if they have served their penalties.
Bach expressed hope that the scandal surrounding Team Russia won’t affect the Rio Games in a negative way.
The president also said he has not been in contact with Russian officials and politicians lately.
According to the International Olympic Committee, there will be be 4,500 urine tests and 1,000 blood tests conducted during the August 5-21 Games.
Bach said he had no contact with the Moscow government after this month’s publication of an explosive report which revealed a wide-ranging, state-sponsored doping regime.
“At the end of the day, you have to be able to look into the eyes of the individual athlete concerned by your decision”, Bach said.
But Bach, speaking at a press conference following the IOC’s executive board meeting, denied that the organisation’s credibility had been damaged by the situation. WADA really seem to be the fall guy.
The IOC commission would further analyze the situation with the Russian doping use allegations before and after the Rio Olympics.
– Called on all worldwide winter sports federations to “freeze” their plans for holding major events in Russia, including world championships and World Cups, and seek alternative venues in other countries.
“Anybody who’s studied sport knows that doping is going on in every country in the world”.
Some five days before the opening of the Games, it remains unknown how many Russian athletes will compete in the wake of the country’s doping scandal.
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They were among seven Russians banned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) last week after the order was published.
