Russia banned from Paralympic Games in Rio

Russia has been banned from taking part in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said they had "no option" but to take such action following the Russian state doping scandal.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven said it was an "unprecedented attack on every clean athlete who competes in sport."

In a scathing attack, he said the anti-doping system in Russia is "broken, corrupted and entirely compromised".

He added: "The Paralympic Movement is one giant family and I had hoped that something like this would never rear its ugly head.

"Everything we have observed goes against the very spirit of sport and everything the Paralympic Movement stands for."

A statement released by the British Paralympic Association said it had "real sympathy" for the Russian Paralympians "who train and compete clean".

But it added: "It is crucial for the integrity of our sport that those involved, as well as the public, feel confident that all necessary measures are in place to tackle doping and the playing field is level."

The IPC's decision is in sharp contrast to the one taken by the International Olympic Committee earlier this month.

Instead of imposing a blanket ban, the IOCopted to allow individual sporting bodies to decide whether Russian athletes could compete.

Russia finished second in the medal standings at the 2012 London Paralympics and had 267 athlete slots for Rio in 18 sports.

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Russia will appeal the decision.