Thomas Bach defends IOC’s handling of Russia doping case

President Thomas Bach defended the International Olympic Committee’s approach to the Russian doping problem, even though the final Winter Olympics participants will not be confirmed until hours before tomorrow’s opening ceremony.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will make decisions, either tonight or tomorrow morning, over whether the IOC must invite 47 athletes to compete in Pyeongchang. The 23rd Winter Games open on tomorrow evening.

Bach insisted the IOC has dealt with the issue as best it can and says the IOC, CAS and the World Anti-Doping Agency will convene to ensure a repeat of the chaotic build-up to a second successive Olympics, after Rio 2016, will not be repeated.