IOC board to review Rio final preparations, Russia doping

“I call on the world to observe the Olympic Truce by ceasing all hostilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro”, he said on Friday.

Currently, according to Russia’s sports minister, 272 of the original 387 athletes are still scheduled to compete in the Games as of now.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) had recommended all Russian athletes be banned after its independently commissioned report found evidence of a four-year “doping programme” across the “vast majority” of Olympic sports.

An appeal is being prepared against World Rowing’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Russian Rowing Federation head Veniamin But told The Associated Press.

Four additional weightlifters were mentioned in World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren’s report – which alleged a massive cover-up of failed drug tests – as having benefited from the “disappearing positive methodology system” used by Russian Federation to mask doping results.

The IOC’s ruling executive board, meeting Saturday for the final time before the opening of the games next Friday, said the panel will decide on the entry of Russian athletes whose names have been forwarded to compete by their worldwide sports federations and approved by an independent arbitrator.

Also banned from the games are seven Russian swimmers, five canoeists, and two athletes who compete in pentathalons.

The final number of cleared athletes is to be announced on Saturday.

However, the International Olympic Committee decided against a blanket ban.

“And as if this is not enough, the athlete, who blew the whistle, who provided the information that revealed the whole scandal, who sacrificed her career for the sake of truth, is the one banned from participating in Rio 2016”.

The IWF described the doping results as “extremely shocking and disappointing”.

The IOC’s ruling executive board opens a two-day meeting today, its last formal gathering before Friday’s opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium.

“The final decision has been taken already”, International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said.

The Australians and at least eight other Olympic teams complained this week about their accommodations in the athletes’ village, citing plumbing leaks, electrical faults and dirty conditions.

“The Games are all about shattering records of human ability”, said Ban.