CAS rejects Russian appeals

Hours before the Opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Games kicked off in South Korea, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) chose to decide in favour of the IOC and leave the decision on who is invited to compete in the Games to the organising body.

The sports court decided that the decision only to issue invitations to the games adhering to certain criteria was to be regarded more as an “eligibility decision” than a sanction and the panel found that “the IOC had the ability to institute such process”.

The IOC welcomed the decision in a statement saying:

"We welcome this decision which supports the fight against doping and brings clarity for all athletes," said the IOC in a statement following the CAS dismissal of the Russian appeals.

In a press release WADA president Sir Craig Reedie also called the decision “welcome news” for all “that care for clean sport and the integrity of the Games”.

In Russia, the reaction was less supportive when Russian sports minister Pavel Kolobkov, according to AP, called the decision ‘unfair’, while Russian state news agency Tass cited Russian Vice PM Vitaly Mutko:

"This decision could not have been different. The inviting formula is extremely difficult to challenge, regardless of whether violations existed. The procedure itself is not transparent and does not contribute to the authority of the organization in the fans’ opinion."