28 of the 39 Russian athletes will be able to participate in winter Olympics in Pyeongchang to be held next week. Today, February 1, Lausanne court of arbitration for sport (CAS) overturned the decision of the International Olympic Committee.
The court ruled that the evidence was insufficient Moka to admit the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) by 28 athletes. Due to this decision taken against the athletes, sanctions will be canceled, and their results during the Olympic games in Sochi will be restored.
Among the 28 athletes were gold medalists Alexander Legkov (skier), Alexander Tretyakov (skeleton) and Elena Nikitina (skeletonwitch). After learning about the appeal, Legkov admitted that for him this day was the second birthday.
Another 11 athletes were convicted of doping, but a lifetime ban was also lifted. The Tribunal has decided that they will not be able to participate in the Olympics in 2018, but will be able to once again participate in an international competition in 4 years.
In a statement, CAS emphasized that the court did not examine scheme of manipulation of doping samples in Sochi the lab, but only 39 were considered separate cases.
The IOC reacted to the decision of sports arbitration. He said that the decision «could have a serious impact on the future of the fight against doping». The Olympic Committee may appeal the decision in The Swiss Federal Supreme court the highest judicial body of the country.
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