Twitter reacts to IAAF upholding Russia's ban from Rio Olympics
The extension of theĀ ban on Russia's track and field athletesĀ through the this summer'sĀ Rio Games was an unprecedented move.
Friday's decision by the IAAF, the international governing body for track and field, also drew praise on social media after it was announced.Ā The All Russian Athletics Federation had been barred from competing internationally since the NovemberĀ release of aĀ World Anti-Doping Agency independent investigation, which found Russia had run a state-sponsored doping program for its track and field athletes.
South African swimmerĀ Roland Schoeman, who won gold among other medals as a four-time Olympian,Ā advocated a ban of not just Russian track and field athletes.
Former OlympicĀ CanadianĀ hurdlerĀ Perdita Felicien doubted that Russia would allow its athletes to compete under the Olympic flag, one of the potential options for Russian track and field athletes who went toĀ "extraordinary" lengths to compete clean.
Other's also weighed in on the possibility that some Russian athletes could be allowed to show off their talents in Rio.