Russia will not compete at Rio Paralympics after losing appeal over ban
Russia will not compete at the Rio Paralympics after losing an appeal over a ban following a row over state-sponsored doping.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says it dismissed an appeal by the Russian Paralympic Committee as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) did not violate any procedural rules in banning the Russian team.
Russian sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, branded the decision unlawful and politically motivated, and said that it raised serious questions from a human rights point of view.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev added that the decision was "cynical" and a blow to all disabled people.
Earlier in August the 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."
CAS, sport's highest tribunal, added that the ruling was "proportionate in the circumstances" and that the Russian Paralympic Committee "did not file any evidence contradicting the facts on which the IPC decision was based".
The row centres on a report for the World Anti-Doping Agency that found the Russian government and the FSB security service had covered up hundreds of doping cases over many years.
The decision means that at least 250 Russian athletes will miss the Games which will run from September 7 to September 18.