Few tears for Russia

APART, perhaps, from in the Kremlin in Moscow, few tears will be shed at the decision of the world athletics governing body to maintain its doping ban on all Russian athletes competing anywhere, including at the Rio Olympics.

This was inevitable, given the tactics of obstruction and obfuscation which dope testers have encountered from Russian officials in the course of the past six months or more.

It would be an absolute travesty of justice if Olympic officials were next week to give Russia and its athletes a special dispensation, thus allowing them to compete at the games in Rio.