Russia to argue suspension of Russian athletes in civil courts

Moscow, July 30 (IANS) Russia will argue in the civil courts the suspension of its athletes from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Minister of Sports Vitaly Mutko said on Saturday.

"We shall apply to civil courts, that would be for protection of honour, dignity and for moral damage," he told Tass. "We should do so after the Olympic Games."

WADA urged the International Olympic Committee to ban the entire Olympic contingent from the Rio Games starting from August 5 after an Independent Commission, chaired by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren, stated in particular that the commission's investigation registered a total of 643 cases of Disappearing Positive Test Results in Russia between 2012 and 2015 involving athletes from 30 sports.

But the IOC refused to effect a blanket ban and instead insisted that the entry of Russian sportspersons will depend on the decision of the individual global federations.

Among those who denied an entry to the Russians was world athletics body IAAF, that also rejected the individual applications of 68 athletes.

Mutko on August 1 will present to Unesco a report on doping, where he will comment on the work of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

"On Monday, I am leaving for Paris, where I will speak at the Unesco commission on doping," he said.