IAAF upholds ban on Russian track and field athletes from Olympics
— -- The IAAF, track and field's governing body, voted Friday to uphold a ban on Russian athletes for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Russia's track and field athletes have been suspended from international competition since November following a World Anti-Doping Agency report of a widespread, state-backed doping system.
The International Olympic Committee is expected to discuss the IAAF's decision next week.
The Russian Sports Ministry said it is "extremely disappointed" that the IAAF has ruled to uphold the ban.
The ministry says Russia had done "everything possible" to be readmitted, adding "we now appeal to the members of the International Olympic Committee to not only consider the impact that our athletes' exclusion will have on their dreams and the people of Russia, but also that the Olympics themselves will be diminished by their absence."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
