AT least eight Russian athletes are set to miss next month’s Games in Rio de Janeiro under new IOC rules prohibiting former dopers from competing, Russia’s top Olympic official said.

    Alexander Zhukov had said earlier that only eight athletes would be affected, but acknowledged after a meeting of his Russian Olympic Committee that the number would rise.

    “I think that in the near future we will have full information,” Zhukov said. “I had said eight, but it’s already clear that it’s more.”

    While Zhukov did not name the athletes, competitors in swimming, cycling and weightlifting are likely to be affected.

    Zhukov spoke a day after the International Olympic Committee executive board decided against imposing a complete ban on Russian athletes from the Rio Games over allegations of state-sponsored doping. The IOC asked individual global sports federations to decide on entry of Russian athletes, and announced new eligibility criteria.

    The rules prohibit Russia from sending to the Rio Games any athletes who have previously served doping bans. Sports federations can also reject Russian entries if they have not undergone enough international drug testing. (SD-Agencies)