IOC leaders meet to consider Olympic ban on Russia
By Associated Press
Jul 24, 2016 5:38 AM CDT
FILE - In this July 28, 1984 file photo Bill Suiter "Rocket Man" soars with the help of a jet pack during the welcoming of nations at the Opening ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The IOC's ruling 15-member executive board will meet Sunday, July 24, 2016 via...   (Associated Press)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Olympic leaders are meeting to consider whether to impose a total ban on Russian athletes from the Rio de Janeiro Games because of state-sponsored doping.

The International Olympic Committee's ruling executive board is meeting Sunday via teleconference to decide on sanctions following new allegations of a government-backed doping program involving Russian athletes in summer and winter sports.

Russia's track and field athletes have already been banned by the IAAF, the sport's governing body, a decision that was upheld Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The World Anti-Doping agency and other anti-doping bodies have recommended a ban on Russia's entire team.

The IOC has said it would seek a balance between "collective punishment" and "individual justice."

Short of a complete ban, the IOC could let individual sports federations decide whether to allow Russian athletes in their events.

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