Thomas Bach asserted, reiterated and repeated that, yes, indeed, the International Olympic Committee’s decision not to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics was in the interest of clean sport. In delegating the decisions about the eligibility of athletes in a state-sponsored doping program, the IOC was respecting the rights of clean athletes.
Few were buying it, though.
While the IOC president hailed the decision, athletes, anti-doping and sport officials derided it, calling it a sad day for clean sport. Russian athletes will compete in Rio, though how many will be determined through a chaotic process played out in 27 international federations over the next 12 days.