The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) headquarters in Moscow on December 17, 2020. (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) Russia’s ban from international sport was halved to two years on Thursday and its athletes were cleared to compete as neutrals, drawing condemnation from athletes and anti-doping advocates.
The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the initial four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, citing “matters of proportionality” and the “need to effect cultural change and encourage the next generation of Russian athletes.”
“The consequences which the Panel has decided to impose are not as extensive as those sought by WADA,” a CAS statement said.
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