Russia doping ruling creates level playing field, says IAAF

IAAF president Sebastian Coe at a past event. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Although relieved at the Cas decision, IAAF president Sebastian Coe cautioned against triumphalism.Although relieved at the Cas decision, IAAF president Sebastian Coe cautioned against triumphalism.

MONACO

The IAAF athletics governing body welcomed the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) court's rejection of Russia's doping appeal, declaring it has "created a level playing field for athletes".

Cas verdict barred 67 Russian athletes from competing at the Rio Olympic Games starting on August 5.

"The CAS award upholds the rights of the IAAF to use its rules for the protection of the sport, to protect clean athletes and support the credibility and integrity of competition," said an IAAF statement.

Although relieved at the Cas decision, IAAF president Sebastian Coe cautioned against triumphalism.

"While we are thankful that our rules and our power to uphold our rules and the anti-doping code have been supported, this is not a day for triumphant statements," he said.

"I didn't come into this sport to stop athletes from competing. It is our federation's instinctive desire to include, not exclude."

Coe stressed that post-Rio, the IAAF would continue to engage with Russia in its fight against doping "to establish a clean safe environment for its athletes so that its federation and team can return to international recognition and competition."