“That process is now complete and confirmation has been received from the IOC Review Panel that the following 11 Russian boxers are eligible to compete at Rio 2016”.
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We asked the IOC humbly that Yuliya, as she would never be nominated by the Russian Olympic Committee, be permitted to compete as a neutral athlete at the Games in Rio.
On July 21, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected an appeal from 68 Russian athletes and the Olympic Committee of Russia.
The Stepanovas said they understood that the IOC had discretion to invite anyone it chose to the Games and, having been cleared by the International Association of Athletics Federations, had been hoping to be in Rio.
The CAS decision could force other federations, who were asked by the International Olympic Committee to recommend which Russians could compete, to reconsider their lists.
The IOC opted not to hand Russian Federation a blanket ban from Rio 2016 following allegations of state-sponsored doping. NBC will also be producing a daily two-minute Olympic video recap specifically for Facebook as well as a daily slow-motion video for Instagram highlighting the day’s most inspiring moments.
But, like all of the membership except for Britain’s Adam Pengilly, he voted in favour of a vote of confidence in response to the ruling IOC Executive Board decision. Pound said the IOC now faces a long campaign “to earn back its reputation for safeguarding the integrity of Olympic competition and protecting clean athletes”.
He did vow, though, to continue his criticism and call for an Extraordinary IOC Session to take place next year in order to discuss the problem of doping.
“IAAF also has no claims against me regarding the doping issue”.
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This latter remark is a reference to Russian doping cheat turned whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova, who has not been allowed to compete here, despite being permitted to race at other global athletics events. What’s more, YouTube also is sending 15 of its top content creators – including filmmaker Ben Brown and frisbee aficionado Brodie Smith – to the Olympics, and they will be posting both live streaming as well as 360-degree videos to the site. These Games are a milestone in the preparation of the Olympic Games as, they are an opportunity for the continent’s athletes to express their potential.
