Accessibility links

Breaking News

Court Overturns Olympic Ban On Russian Athlete


Before being banned by the IAAF, long jumper Darya Klishina had been the only Russian track and field athlete athlete to have avoided being excluded from the Olympics for doping.
Before being banned by the IAAF, long jumper Darya Klishina had been the only Russian track and field athlete athlete to have avoided being excluded from the Olympics for doping.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld an appeal by Russian long jumper Darya Klishina against her ban from the Olympic Games in Brazil.

After a day of hearings, CAS announced early on August 15 that Klishina's appeal had succeeded and she "remained eligible to compete in the Olympic Games in Rio."

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko “welcomed” the decision in comments on August 15. Earlier he said the decision to ban Klishina was a “provocation” against Russian sports.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on August 13 had suspended Klishina, the nation's only track and field athlete to have so far avoided a blanket ban for doping.

The decision came just three days before Klishina was due to compete.

Klishina said she has proven she's a clean athlete many times and felt betrayed by the IAAF decision.

The IAAF didn't say why Klishina was banned but Klishina acknowledged that it was related to Russia's widespread doping scandal.

Klishina was the only one of 68 Russians cleared to participate in Rio by the IAAF, largely because she has been based outside Russia for the past three years.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG