Russia celebrates lifting of suspension on athletes as a major political victory

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport, eight days before the start of the Winter Olympic Games in the Korean city of Pyeongchang, made a decision to lift the suspension for 28 out of 43 athletes from Russia, so some of them will have the right to compete.

They were accused of using prohibited doping substances at the previous Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014.

The CAS assessed that there is insufficient evidence that anti-doping rules were violated in those 28 cases. After the sanctions against 28 Russian athletes were lifted, their achieved results were confirmed.

In the remaining 11 doping cases, the CAS lifted the lifetime ban for Russian athletes, but did not lift the ban on competing at the upcoming games.

One of the 28 athletes whose suspension was lifted is cross-country skier Alexander Legkov, who won Olympic gold in the 50 km at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and silver in the 4 x 10 km relay.

- In theory, some of those 28 athletes whose lifetime suspension was overturned can participate in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, but their participation in those Games must be approved by the International Olympic Committee - said a CAS spokesperson.

The IOC Disciplinary Commission, based on a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which presented evidence of an “institutionalized” doping system in Russia, especially during the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, imposed a lifetime suspension and disqualification on 43 Russian athletes, and revoked 13 of the 33 medals won by the Russians in 2014.

Of those 43 athletes, 42 appealed to the CAS, and some of them still hope to compete at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang from February 9 to 25. The CAS has reviewed the cases of 39 of them in recent days, and will review three more later.

The suspension of Russian athletes and their ban from competition has drawn enormous attention from the world public, as many believe that this is not just about sports, but that international politics lies behind it all.

After the CAS made the decision to lift the suspension, the Kremlin immediately reacted, welcoming the decision, stating that justice had prevailed.

- This information about the CAS decision regarding our athletes confirms that active efforts to protect rights in courts and in other ways are justified, that they can be effective, and that such practice must continue - said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The International Olympic Committee Executive Board earlier allowed 169 athletes from Russia to compete, but they are not allowed to compete under the flag and name of Russia, but under the Olympic flag.

World media write that this is yet another major diplomatic victory for Russia.

Russia earlier claimed that there is at least sports in all of this, and that it is not about the use of doping substances, but that behind it all lies the intention of the international community to defeat Russia through athletes.