Russia doping: IOC to decide within seven days on ban from Rio 2016

Pressure has grown on the organisation to impose a 'blanket ban' on Russia

The Olympic flag is raised at the 2014 Sochi Games opening ceremony (Getty)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide within seven days whether Russia will be banned from competing at this summer’s Rio Olympics.

The organisation is “examining legal options” following a devastating report by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which found evidence of an elaborate, state-sponsored doping program.

The report, published by the Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren, revealed that the Russian government, sports authorities and security services conspired to hide doping at several major events following a poor medals return at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The cover-up was put into action ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, the 2013 World Championships in Moscow and the 2014 Winter Olympics, held in the Russian city of Sochi.

The publication of McLaren’s findings has increased pressure on the IOC to issue a ‘blanket ban’ on Russia, preventing them from competing in all events at this summer’s Rio Games.

Russian track and field athletes are currently prohibited from competing at the Games following the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) decision to impose a provisional suspension last November.

Russia’s top Olympic official said that he expects a final decision on Russian participation in Rio by Sunday.

Alexander Zhukov, the Russian Olympic Committee president, said he believes “the issue will be resolved by the end of this week, probably on Sunday.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will issue its verdict Thursday on Russia's appeal to overturn the IAAF ban on its track and field athletes for the games.

The IOC will take that into account before making its own decision.

Additional reporting by Reuters