Russian Olympic Committee chief Alexander Zhukov has confirmed that 271 athletes from the controversial nation will take part in the Olympic Games after being cleared by an IOC panel.
Zhukov claimed in a press conference earlier Friday morning that the Russian team was “probably the cleanest in Rio”.
We’re not sure how he arrived at that conclusion, but Zhukov was keen to emphasise that although over 100 Russians remain banned from competition, the rest have been cleared by the International Olympic Committee after investigations from a panel that included Ugur Erdener, Claudia Bokel and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr.
“As of now 271 athletes have been admitted,” Zhukov the media conference.
“The Russian team may have experienced the toughest checks of the Olympics, because they had to go through multiple tests and checked.
“On top of all that, Russian athletes are going through additional testing which is taking place at the Olympic Village.
“So, as of now, the Russian team is probably the cleanest in Rio.”
Russia had initially entered 387 athletes into the Olympics, meaning that 116 remain staunchly banned, including all their track and field athletes. 67 of those were banned from competing earlier this month. The entire weightlifting team has also been banned.
Some of the sports that will see Russians compete in them include boxing, swimming, judo, shooting and golf.
The World Anti-Doping Authority had recommended Russia be completely banned from the Rio Olympics. This was after investigations found a systemic, state-backed doping program stemming back at least two Games.
The IOC chose not to implement WADA’s recommendation of a blanket ban, instead opting to leave decisions up to the governing bodies of each sport. They have also run this panel to investigate the cases.
With the Opening Ceremony for Rio set to start tomorrow morning, you might say they’ve left it a little late.
29 Russian swimmers are set to compete, in what will be one of the bigger teams for the nation.
There are a number of cases still pending, meaning we may yet see more Russians cleared to compete.
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