MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Sozykin has been denied eligibility based on the findings of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) McLaren investigation report last month.
"Having received the additional guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the eligibility of athletes from Russia to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the World Sailing Board of Directors convened today via conference call to review the IOC guidance and re-consider the eligibility of Pavel Sozykin," the WS said in a statement.
It said the IOC circulated a new guidance to all summer international federations Tuesday, advising against implicating an athlete if the McLaren report does not mention a specific prohibited substance.
"In the case of Mr. Sozykin, though he was identified in the McLaren Report in connection with the Disappearing Positive Methodology, the report did not include specific information as to whether the positive test occurred in-competition or out-of-competition. Further, the substance for which he tested positive is not prohibited out-of-competition and, if the sample had been taken out-of-competition, would not have resulted in a sanction," the WS said.
The federation added that at least two of Sozykin's subsequent tests produced no adverse results, but pointed out that his entry must be confirmed by the IOC and the Court of Arbitration for Sport's review panel.
