WADA 'disappointed' by IOC decision on Russia

A woman walks into the head office for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal, Canada, November 9, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

July 24 - The International Olympic Committee's decision to reject calls to ban all Russian competitors from the Rio Olympics could lead to "lesser protection for clean athletes," the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Sunday.

The global anti-doping agency said it stood by its earlier recommendation that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decline all entries for the Rio Games submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee.

The IOC on Sunday resisted calls for a blanket ban on Russians competing in next month's Games due to the country's doping record, leaving decisions on individual athletes' participation with their sports federations.

"WADA is disappointed that the IOC did not heed WADA's Executive Committee recommendations that were based on the outcomes of the McLaren Investigation and would have ensured a straight-forward, strong and harmonized approach," WADA President Craig Reedie said in a statement.

"The McLaren Report exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport embodied within the World Anti-Doping Code," Reedie added.

WADA also joined other anti-doping leaders in expressing concern over the effect of the IOC decision.

"The approach taken and the criteria set forward will inevitably lead to a lack of harmonization, potential challenges and lesser protection for clean athletes," WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said.