Blow to Russia as CAS upholds Rio Olympics ban

Seb Coe leads the council that will decide Russia's fate PHOTO/Reuters

The Court of Arbitration for Spots (CAS) has rejected an appeal by the Russian Olympic Committee over a ban imposed by athletics governing body the IAAF over state-run doping, barring the country's track and field team from the Rio Games.

"The CAS Panel has confirmed the validity of the IAAF's decision to apply Rules...which state that athletes whose national federation is suspended by the IAAF are ineligible for competitions held under the IAAF Rules," a statement from the Lausanne based court said.