Lausanne: Seven athletes including a canoeing gold medallist became the latest Russian competitors to be banned from next month’s Rio Olympics after an explosive report revealed state-run doping across Russian sport.
Five canoeists and two in modern pentathlon were barred, taking the number of Russians banned from the Games — which start in just 10 days — to at least 20 since Sunday.
The bans followed a controversial decision at the weekend by the International Olympic Committee not to suspend all Russian competitors, instead leaving it up to each sport to decide what to do.
The IOC has faced fierce criticism from anti-doping leaders over the move, including accusations that it failed to show leadership in the battle for drug-free sport.
International Canoe Federation secretary general Simon Toulson issued a strong rebuke to suspected dopers. “If you step out of line you won’t make the start line,” he said in a statement.
