Russia holds 'alternative games' in defiance over Paralympics ban

Russia is staging a self-styled "alternative Paralympics" after its national team was barred from the official Rio Games over alleged state-sponsored doping.

Officials have hit back with their own national contest after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) barred all Russian athletes from competing in this year's games over claims the government had covered up doping.

Over 200 athletes from across Russia paraded in an opening ceremony in central Moscow yesterday in a show of defiance as the games opened.

They will include contests in seven sports. Winners will get gold, silver and bronze medals, just as they would have if they won in Rio, according to state-owned broadcaster RT.

There will also be workshops in less popular disciplines, the channel said.

Russian paralympic swimmer Irina Devyatova said the games would be some comfort to those who had lost the chance to compete in Rio.

Russia lost an appeal against the IPC over the blanket ban from the Rio Paralympics after allegations that Russia had covered up hundreds of doping cases.

It mean that over 250 Russian paralympic athletes lost their chance to compete.

The Paralympic organisers went further than the Olympics committee, which allowed individual sports disciplines the final say over whether Russian athletes could take part.

Officials in Moscow have declared the bar to be "politically motivated" and accused the IPC of "double standards" over doping.

A Belorussian official was also banned from the Rio Games yesterday after he carried a Russian flag into the opening ceremony.