International Olympic Committee suspends two Russian skiers for life over doping
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Russian skiers Alexander Legkov and Evgeniy Belov from participating in the Olympic Games for life, Radio Liberty reported.
The Russian citizens were found guilty of using dope, and the athletes' performance results at the 2014 Sochi Olympics have been annulled. Legkov and Belov intend to appeal against the IOC’s decision.
Earlier, the national anti-doping agencies of 17 countries demanded the removal of Russia from the 2018 Olympics in connection with the doping scandal. A report on state support of doping in Russia, which was completed by Richard McLaren’s independent commission, was published two years ago. According to the investigation, more than a thousand Russian athletes used doping. Moscow rejects these accusations.
The final decision on Russia's admission to the 2018 Winter Olympics is anticipated for the beginning of December.
The National Anti-Doping Center of Ukraine supported the initiative to ban the Russian national team from the Winter Olympics, which will be held in February in South Korea.