Rio 2016: Russia loses doping appeal, Russians react

Sport’s highest tribunal, the court of arbitration on Thursday rejected the appeal made by the Russian Olympic Committee and 68 athletes to compete in this summer’s RIO 2016 Olympic games.

The ban was imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the global governing body for athletics, reconfirmed it last month, saying there were still considerable problems with anti-doping in Russia.

“The Court of the Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the request filed by the Russian Olympic Committee and 68 Russian athletes. These requests were limited to certain legal issues concerning the application” said Secretary General, the CourT of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

However, Russians in the streets of the capital, Moscow call the decision “wrong” some said it was politically motivated.

“I believe it’s nonsense. Many sports people have been waiting and training for these Games. And suddenly when someone has found some doping somewhere, they are all banned now without exception? The only thing I am confused about is why this only concerns our sports people” Moscow resident Tamara Obivalkina.

“I believe it’s nonsense. Many sports people have been waiting and training for these Games. And suddenly when someone has found some doping somewhere, they are all banned now without exception?” Moscow resident Tamara Obivalkina said.

#BREAKING Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Russia appeal against IAAF ban: statement

— AFP news agency (@AFP) July 21, 2016

Russia was suspended from track and field events by the IAAF on November 2015.

The decision came after an independent World Anti-Doping Agency report which uncovered a culture of state-sponsored doping.

The IOC is expected to reach a final decision on Sunday and has said it will take the CAS ruling into account.