Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal

Russian athletes are banned from competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics following the country's doping scandal.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had opened suspension proceedings following the McLaren report, and has now confirmed the ban.

The report, published last month, claimed Russia had operated a state-sponsored doping programme.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not to give Russia a blanket ban from the Olympic Games.

"The anti-doping system in Russia is broken, corrupted and entirely compromised," said IPC president Sir Philip Craven at a news conference on Sunday.

"The Russian Paralympic Committee are unable to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the IPC anti-doping code and the world anti-doping code within their own national jurisdiction and they can not fulfil its fundamental obligation as an IPC member.

"As a result, the Russian Paralympic Committee is suspended with immediate effect."

Author: 
BBC