Eleven others had their appeals partially upheld, meaning that they will serve reduced suspensions and miss the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang only.
The rulings are unlikely to go down with anyone involved in the Winter Olympics or the International Olympic Committee, as it comes as a huge blow to the IOC’s claims that a state-sponsored doping programme was used in Russia. A number of past and current athletes are likely to greet the Cas ruling with anger on the eve of the 2018 Winter Games.
The news is also likely to trigger an angry response from Russia even though 28 of their athletes have been cleared, given that they have consistently denied running a state-sponsored doping programme and believe that the treatment they have been subjected to by the IOC is a conspiracy.
The Independent
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