Russia files appeal against doping ban from Olympic track

The number of homicides in the southeastern Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, whose likenamed capital will host the Summer Olympics next month, has risen this year to 428 per month, or around 14 a day, according to an official report.

Russian Federation men’s quadruple sculls crew have been banned from the Rio Olympics after one of their members failed a doping test in May, the world governing body FISA said on Friday.

“Stepanova is now eligible to compete in global competitions as an independent neutral athlete”, the IAAF said in a statement.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) have backed the IAAF’s decision, although Russian athletes able to prove they are clean competitors have been urged to appeal to CAS.

It was still unclear, however, if the middle-distance runner would now be eligible to compete at the Rio Olympics, with the IAAF saying it was up to organisers to decide. She worked with the Rome 2004 and Turin 2006 Olympic bids and also managed PR & media for Dr. Jacques Rogge during his campaign for the presidency.

The IAAF Doping Review Board “unanimously accepted the application of Yuliya Stepanova.as someone having made a truly exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of clean athletes, fair play and the integrity and authenticity of the sport”.

One, however, is Yuliya Stepanova, the doping cheat turned whistleblower who is bidding to compete in Rio after fleeing Russian Federation for United States, although it is possible she was excluded from the count.The two-time European champion has been based in Florida for several years and has been subject to regular testing outside Russian Federation. Russia’s own anti-doping agency was nearly entirely shut down a year ago after it faced coverup claims.

Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva applied on Thursday following world champion hurdler Sergey Shubenkov and long jumper Daria Klishina. AP material published by LongIsland.com, is done so with explicit permission. Please see our terms of service for more information.