Russia has termed the decision of Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reject its appeal against a doping ban a 'politicised decision'. CAS' ruling effectively bars Russian track and field athletes from participating in the Rio Olympics.
"In my view, this is a subjective and somewhat politicised decision for which there is no legal basis," Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told TASS news agency.
> Read: Isinbayeva terms CAS ruling a 'funeral for athletics'
The Kremlin expressed 'deep regret' over the move and said that it was unfair to ban all athletes from competing at the Games. "The idea of collective responsibility from our point of view can hardly be considered acceptable," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
> Read: CAS rejects Russia appeal, bars athletes from Rio
"We are talking about athletes training for the Olympics who have no connection to doping, who have no connection to any accusations or suspicions," Peskov said. "On this we can only express deep regret."
The CAS ruling backed up a decision from athletics governing body the IAAF to slap a blanket ban on Russia's track and field team ahead of the Olympics over evidence of state-sponsored doping. The decision on Thursday will now see Russian athletics stars such as pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and hurdler Sergey Shubenkov miss out on Rio.
The situation could be set to get much worse for Moscow as the International Olympic Committee said this week it would take into account the CAS ruling as it weighs up whether to ban all Russian competitors from Rio over more widespread doping accusations.
(With inputs from agencies)
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