The IOC (International Olympic Committee) declared on Saturday the 18th that it had approved the IAAF's (International Association of Athletics Federations) decision maintaining Russian Athletics out of the Rio Olympics.

This is the largest restriction on a nation in sports history and is due to systematic cases of doping.

"The IOC celebrates and supports IAAF's position against doping. This is in alignment with the IOC's zero-tolerance policy. In a conference call today, the IOC Executive Committee, emphasized that they totally respect IAAF's position. The eligibility of athletes for any international competition, including the Olympic Games, is a subject for the respective International Federation", said the IOC in a written note.

The entity declared that it will take new additional measures against doping to guarantee equality in the Olympic competition in Rio, which will take place in August.

On Tuesday the 21st, organization members will meet in Switzerland to also discuss the situation of countries whose national anti-doping organizations aren't in line with the WADA (Worldwide Anti-Doping Agency) agreement requirements.

Shortly after the IOC's communication, Vitaly Mutko, Russia's Sports Minister, confirmed that there is no hope of a reversal in the case. "After the declaration of the International Olympic Committee, our athletes have no chance to go to the Games", Mutko said in an interview with the R-Sports Agency.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

Read the article in the original language