Russia banned from competing in Athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympics

[Headie]

Russia's athletics federation has been provisionally suspended from international competition - including the Olympic Games - for its alleged involvement in widespread doping.

The IAAF took action after the publication of an independent World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) report that alleged "state-sponsored doping".

Its council members voted by 22-1 in favour of Russia being banned.

"This has been a shameful wake-up call," said IAAF president Lord Coe.

"The message could not be stronger. We are clear that cheating at any level will not be tolerated.

"The whole system has failed the athletes, not just in Russia, but around the world."

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the suspension was "temporary" and the "problem is solvable".

The ban means athletes from Russia may not enter international competitions, including the World Athletic Series and Rio Olympics, which begin on 5 August next year.

Russia will also not be entitled to host the 2016 World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary and the 2016 World Junior Championships in Kazan.

Former sprinter Frankie Fredericks, head of the IAAF athletes commission, added: "We are angry at the damage being caused to the reputation and credibility of athletics and are united alongside our president to not shy away from the major challenges that face our sport."

More to follow.

Athletics doping: Russia provisionally suspended by IAAF
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/34811896

This has been a long time coming tbh. As a die-hard fan of the sport, it was clear as day who were on drugs and who were being robbed of medals. However I feel bad for the innocent Russian athletes who will now not get to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

[Pete.]

Oh wow

[Will.]

what is happening today,

Friday the 13th really is here...

[Cherie]

Athletics needs this, but how will Russia react :unsure:

[Macie Lightfoot]

oh yeah there's been A LOT (well, as high-profile as track gets in the USA) of media stuff bc Alysia Montano was upgraded to four diff world/Olympic medals as a result of this.

[Will.]

On the plus side at least the the athletes parade will be a bit shorter!

[Headie]

oh yeah there's been A LOT (well, as high-profile as track gets in the USA) of media stuff bc Alysia Montano was upgraded to four diff world/Olympic medals as a result of this.

There's been loads of media coverage over here too.

Jessica Ennis-Hill still hasn't been given the 2011 World Title even though it's practically confirmed/blatantly obvious that Chernova was on drugs. Jenny Meadows would've been World Indoor 800m champion in 2010, Jo Pavey would've medalled in the 2006 Europeans etc. It's sad how long this has been going on for but at the same time it was blatantly obvious.

[JoshBB]

smh

Now all russian athletes will be punished even though not all of them even did drugs..

[Headie]

They're basically banned from all Athletics competitions until the IAAF and WADA are happy with their drug testing procedures.

[Novo]

this happens in a LOT of countries, Austria have a huge doping problem also and countless South American and African countries who seem to avoid punishment despite having multiple dopers, USA and UK have had their fair share of allegations problem is they are basically in complete control of the iaaf so it can be brushed under the carpet and they can make an example of whoever they please, really hope it gets sorted and they are allowed to compete at the Olympics next year and they just ban the actual dopers because 1) its widespread and the system was a failure like Coe said 2) The Olympics needs Darya Klishina

[lostalex]

Athletics needs this, but how will Russia react :unsure:

Hopefully with lots of tears in pillows.

[Headie]

this happens in a LOT of countries, Austria have a huge doping problem also and countless South American and African countries who seem to avoid punishment despite having multiple dopers, USA and UK have had their fair share of allegations problem is they are basically in complete control of the iaaf so it can be brushed under the carpet and they can make an example of whoever they please, really hope it gets sorted and they are allowed to compete at the Olympics next year and they just ban the actual dopers because 1) its widespread and the system was a failure like Coe said 2) The Olympics needs Darya Klishina

USA yes, UK no. There are hardly any UK athletes who have been found to be on drugs in the last, say 10 years. Dwain Chambers is the obvious stick-out answer, then there was recently two suspensions for Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton, which surprised everyone since they weren't even racing well anyway during their alleged doping period. The only other case I can think of is Christine Ohuruogu, who didn't actually fail a drugs test but she missed 3 random spot checks which the UKA have the right to do at any time. Basically she wasn't at home when they knocked on her door.

USA on the other hand have lots of drugs issues but still not as big as Russia. Plus when you consider their population and put in into proportion, there are still a large majority of clean US athletes.

[Novo]

a nice little paycheque early next year to the iaaf from Gazprom and you'll be seeing the Russian colours at Rio next year, those idiots will accept peanuts