Senior Norwegian International Olympic Committee member Gerhard Heiberg is to be invited to sit on the new Russian anti-doping Commission ©Getty Images

Senior Norwegian International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Gerhard Heiberg is to be invited to sit on the new Russian anti-doping Commission, Vitaly Smirnov, the body’s head, has told insidethegames.

Smirnov, an honorary IOC member and former doyen of the IOC, told journalists at Russia House in Rio that the body would have 29 members, including foreigners.

The body was established following the IOC Executive Board’s recent decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russian athletes from the Rio Olympics.

The Commission was set up following a direct order from Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

Vitaly Smirnov said the body would have 29 members ©Getty Images
Vitaly Smirnov said the body would have 29 members ©Getty Images

Putin called for Russian bodies and individuals to liaise with key stakeholders in the fight against doping, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Internationals Sports Federations (IFs).

Smirnov’s comments came as it was confirmed that a sizeable Russian team of some 270 athletes would be accepted at Rio, in spite of the furore over alleged systems of wholesale doping in the country.

This outcome appears to leave Russia a strong candidate for a top-eight place in the medals table.