LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Olympic leaders are meeting to consider whether to impose a total ban on Russian athletes from the Rio de Janeiro Games because of state-sponsored doping.
The International Olympic Committee’s ruling executive board is meeting Sunday via teleconference to decide on sanctions following new allegations of a government-backed doping program involving Russian athletes in summer and winter sports.
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Russia’s track and field athletes have already been banned by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body, a decision that was upheld Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The World Anti-Doping agency and other anti-doping bodies have recommended a ban on Russia’s entire team.
The IOC has said it would seek a balance between “collective punishment” and “individual justice.”
Short of a complete ban, the IOC could let individual sports federations decide whether to allow Russian athletes in their events.