CAS Decision on Russian Paralympics Ban Shows Doping Has No Place in Sport

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to uphold the dismissal of the Russian team from the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro emphasizes the strong belief that doping has no place in Paralympic sport, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven said Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, CAS rejected the Russian Paralympic Committee’s (RPC) appeal against its ban from the upcoming Rio Paralympics.

"Today’s decision underlines our strong belief that doping has absolutely no place in Paralympic sport, and further improves our ability to ensure fair competition and a level playing field for all Para athletes around the world. Although we are pleased with the decision, it is not a day for celebration and we have enormous sympathy for the Russian athletes who will now miss out on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. It is a sad day for the Paralympic Movement, but we hope also a new beginning," Craven was quoted as saying in an IPC statement.

He also expressed hope that this ruling would be "a catalyst for change in Russia" and that it would be possible to welcome the Russian Paralympic Committee back as the organization's member after fulfilling its obligations to guarantee fair competition.

"The IPC will now work with International Federations to redistribute the 267 slots that had been secured by Russian athletes to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games," the statement added.

The IPC chief suspended Russia from the September 7-18 Games on August 7, citing its alleged failure to comply with the organization’s anti-doping rules. RPC President Vladimir Lukin said later that the body had "irrefutable evidence" of compliance with global anti-doping obligations.