Total of 286 Russian Athletes to Compete in Rio Olympics

According to the preliminary information 286 Russian athletes may take part in the Rio Olympics next month, the Russian Ministry of Sport’s board report stated Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Preliminary figures indicate that 286 Russian athletes may take part in the Rio Olympics next month, the Russian Ministry of Sport’s board report stated Friday.

“According to preliminary information, 286 Russian athletes will be able to participate in the games,” the ministry said.

The ministry said the international federations currently admitted 257 athletes to the Games, with the fate of 14 athletes implicated in this month’s World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) McLaren report hanging in the balance.

"Due to the previously recorded doping samples among Russian athletes, 12 athletes of the Olympic team will not be able to go to the Games,” it said.

Meanwhile, Sport Minister Vitaly Mutko later said 272 Russian athletes have been cleared to compete at the Summer Games.

"The final point will be delivered tomorrow [July 30], the processes for a range of sports will be completed," Mutko said.

In 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Independent Commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous breaches of global anti-doping regulations, which led to ARAF’s suspension from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Earlier, the IAAF announced it had banned all Russian athletes from taking part in international competitions, including the upcoming Olympics in Brazil. It made an exception for long jumper Darya Klishina, who trains in the United States.