Channels Television Updated December 18, 2020 Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov speaks with the media in Moscow on December 17, 2020, hours before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is to deliver its verdict over Russia ban from international sports imposed following allegations of state-sanctioned doping. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
The Kremlin said Friday it regretted a decision to ban Russia from international sport for two years but stressed the importance for the country’s athletes to participate in international competitions as neutrals. On Thursday, the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the initial four-year ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and allowed selected athletes to participate as neutrals.