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Follow the link to learn moreA possible ban stopping 'clean' athletes, along with those who have tested positive for doping, from competing at the Olympic Games in Brazil will be a violation of human rights and will negatively impact the entire Olympic movement, the Russian State Duma said.
"Barring Russian athletes, including those who have won world fame due to their outstanding achievements in sport, from competing at the 31st Summer Olympic Games of 2016 in retaliation for the conduct of their dishonest colleagues is a direct violation of human rights," the State Duma said in a statement on June 21.
Russian deputies said they were convinced that such a decision would spark discord and distrust between athletes and citizens of different countries and be able to "ruin the remarkable achievements of the Olympic movement and all high performance sport."