The world's rowing federation announced on July 26 that it has rejected 22 of the 28 rowers that Russia entered into the Olympics over their previous use of performance enhancing drugs.
It said none of the athletes had tested positive for doping in the last five years, but were being banned under strict new rules imposed against Russia in connection with an alleged government-sponsored doping program.
The development means that more than 100 athletes from Russia’s 387-member Olympic team have been barred so far from the 2016 Olympic Games in connection with Russia’s doping scandal.
The number of Russians banned from the competition in Rio de Janeiro could grow further as further rulings are issued in the days ahead.
The vast majority of Russians banned for using illegal performance enhancing drugs -- a total of 67 athletes -- are in track and field.
That ban was upheld at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.
International federations in canoeing and modern pentathlon announced on July 26 that seven Russians were being banned -- including an Olympic gold medalist.
There also have been rulings against Russian swimmers. Some appeals are likely.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 24 ruled against a blanket ban on Russian athletes in 2016, leaving the decision about athletes' participation to the international federation of each individual sport.
But the July 24 IOC ruling set strict standards that have led to the banning of Russian athletes previously found to be doping.
