ASOIF has called for an improvement in the anti-doping process ©ASOIF

The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) has called for a better anti-doping process in the wake of the damning McLaren Report and the subsequent decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russian athletes at Rio 2016.

ASOIF says it will submit a series of proposals to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to “contribute to a more effective system and practice for future activity related to the integrity of sport”.

Their contribution will include a “request to review and clarify the responsibility, structure, procedure and investment of all parties involved in the fight against doping,” ASOIF said. 

It comes despite the fact that ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti is a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board.

WADA came under-fire for its alleged inaction concerning allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia, dramatically uncovered by reports by their Independent Commission and Richard McLaren.

In a wide-ranging statement, ASOIF has defended the decision of the IOC Executive Board not to completely ban Russia from Rio after they instead left the fate of athletes from the country at the hands of the International Federations.

Russian athletes wishing to compete at the Games have to adhere to a strict set of criteria, including being subjected to a “rigorous anti-doping programme”.

This has been criticised due to the close proximity of Rio 2016, with the Opening Ceremony scheduled to take place on August 5.

ASOIF claim, however, that the IOC decision “minimises the disruption” to those involved in the preparations for the Games.

The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations has defended the decision of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board not to impose a wholesale ban on Russian athletes at Rio 2016 ©IOC
The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations has defended the decision of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board not to impose a wholesale ban on Russian athletes at Rio 2016 ©IOC

“This difficult yet balanced decision acknowledges the failure of the Russian anti-doping system but also supports the rights of clean Russian athletes who are eligible under IF criteria to compete in these Games,” the ASOF statement read.

The umbrella body for the 28 Summer Olympic sports has also criticised the way the case surrounding Russia has been handled by “important voices, both inside and outside the Olympic Movement”.

They believe those who have spoken out in favour of a blanket ban on Russian athletes at the upcoming Olympics “have attempted to give priority to media exposure and political influence while disrespecting the existing roles and responsibilities and disregarding the timing and impact on the preparation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games”.

A total of 86 Russians have so far been banned from competing at Rio 2016 by their respective International Federations following guidelines for eligibility set out by the IOC.

These included preventing anyone named in the McLaren report, as well as those who have previously served a drugs ban, from participating at the Games.

Several Federations, including those representing swimming, canoeing, rowing, sailing and modern pentathlon, have already confirmed the exclusion of a number of Russian athletes.

Others, such as the International Judo Federation, the International Tennis Federation, the International Shooting Sport Federation and World Archery, have declared Russians eligible.