Russia will today find out if their track and field athletes will be allowed to compete in this summer’s Rio Olympics.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Dick Pound delivered a damming report in November which found a “deep-rooted culture of cheating” and widespread state-sponsored doping. As a result they were suspended from all international competition.
A decision is expected at around 4pm when the IAAF will conclude whether Russia have met the criteria outlined to them seven months ago. This included the need to immediately introduce disciplinary measures for banned coaches; implement a robust, transparent and efficient anti-doping testing programme and – crucially – to satisfying Wada and the IAAF that its officials, coaches and athletes have acted in accordance with Wada’s anti-doping code.
Experts are not expecting today’s decision to go in favour of the Russian’s after an update from WADA on Wednesday detailed numerous violations of its rules when it has tried to take samples in Russia during the past seven months