Russian athletes pleaded Wednesday to be allowed to compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, making their case two days before the IAAF decides whether to lift its ban on the country’s track and field team.
The Russian Olympic Committee athletes’ commission sent a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach asking for “your support in upholding” the right of clean athletes to take part in the Games.
“We ask you and the International Olympic Committee to take a humanitarian attitude to the many athletes whose fate is at stake and to take a balanced and wise decision,” the letter said.