23:56  ,  January 19, 2018

IOC reduces pool of Russian athletes eligible to compete at Olympics

The International Olympic Committee said on Friday it had reduced the pool of Russian athletes eligible to compete at next month’s Pyeongchang winter Olympics to 389 from 500, Reuters reported.

The IOC last month banned Russia from the Pyeongchang Games as a result of its “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system, though individual athletes will be able to compete effectively as neutrals if they can prove their anti-doping credentials.

“As of today, the original pre-registration pool of 500 athletes has already been reduced by 111 by the Panel,” the IOC said in a statement.

“For others in the remaining pool of athletes, pre-conditions such as further pre-Games tests and reanalysis from stored samples have been required,” the IOC said. “Only if these requirements are met can the athletes be considered for invitation.”

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