IOC bides time before decision on Russia's Olympic participation

The International Olympic Committee has postponed a decision on whether to ban the entire Russian Olympic team from the Rio Games but has announced a raft of measures in response to Monday’s report of state-directed doping.

The World Anti-Doping Agency had joined calls from national anti-doping agencies and athletes’ groups for the IOC to issue a blanket ban to Russia but its executive board has asked for more time to consider its options.

After a four-hour meeting, Olympic bosses said they would “explore their legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes... versus the right to individual justice”.