Usain Bolt backs Russian doping stance

Omnisports

July 21, 2016 2:09 AM

Usain Bolt believes the decision to ban Russian track and field athletes from the Rio Olympic Games will "scare a lot of people".

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Usain Bolt believes the decision to ban Russian track and field athletes from the Rio Olympic Games will "scare a lot of people" and feels it was important for authorities to take a strong stance on doping.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday rejected an appeal from 68 Russian athletes against an IAAF ban from the Games in Brazil next month.

Athletics' governing body suspended the All-Russia Athletic Federation last November following allegations of state-sponsored doping made in a report from an independent commission set up by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is exploring legal options over a potential blanket ban on all Russian athletes from competing in Rio following the publication of the McLaren report, which found that doping had been "directed [and] controlled" at state level.

Legendary Jamaican sprinter Bolt thinks the CAS ruling will show drugs cheats that there is no place for doping in sport and has backed the powers that be if they to prevent all Russian athletes from competing in Rio.

"This will scare a lot of people, or send a strong message that the sport is serious about cleaning up." the six-time Olympic gold medallist said in a media conference.

"If you have the proof and you catch somebody I definitely feel that you should take action and if you feel like banning the whole team is the right action, then I am all for it.

"Rules are rules and doping violation in track and field is getting really bad, so if you feel like you need to make a statement and this is how you feel you need to make a statement, then thumbs up."

Bolt will make his Diamond League return at the Anniversary Games in London on Friday after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Omnisports

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