(ATR) A delegation from Russia will be the first to see the decision from the IOC Executive Board on whether Russians will be able to compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
The EB has set aside nearly five hours this afternoon at IOC headquarters near Lausanne to deliberate on the Russian doping scandal that has affected participation at the 2016 Rio Olympics and now the 2018 Winter Games just three months away.
The reports of two IOC commissions are are being considered by the EB in its decision. One commission is led by IOC EB member Denis Oswald that has reviewed the cases of Russian athletes who competed at Sochi. So far the Oswald commission has sanctioned 25 athletes, knocking Russia from first to fourth place in the medal standings from Sochi.
The second report is prepared by Samuel Schmid, a former Swiss president, who investigated charges that the doping scandal was encouraged and supported at the highest levels of the Russian government. The report by Schmid was delivered to IOC President Thomas Bach earlier today.
The findings by Schmid, if they corroborate state-sponsored doping, could force the IOC hand when it comes to deciding an appropriate penalty.
A massive fine, $100 million or more, could be levied against Russia, in addition to other sanctions that could limit recognition of Russian athletes in PyeongChang, such as banning the Russian flag and anthem during the Games.
A delegation from Russia is at IOC headquarters where it will first receive the ruling of the Executive Board.The group includes Russian Olympic Committee President and IOC Member Alexander Zhukov, Vitaly Smirnov, retired IOC member and head of Russian inquiry into the scandal, figure skater Medvedeva Evgeniya, Brilliantova Alessandra head of ROC legal department and ROC press secretary Vybornov Konstantin.
IOC President Thomas Bach will announce the decision publicly in a news conference at 1930 CET, along with Samuel Schmid.
Written and reported in Lausanne by Ed Hula.
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