USOC Leader on Russians in Rio: 'No Perfect Solution'

(ATR) United States Olympic Committee chairman Larry Probst says he supports the IOC's controversial decision on July 24 not to ban the entire Russian Federation from competing at Rio 2016.

Two-hundred and seventy-one Russian athletes will compete in Rio despite the release of the McLaren Report documenting widespread state-run doping practices.

Probst, speaking at the USOC opening news conference at the Rio Main Press Center on Friday, told reporters he agreed with IOC president Thomas Bach's stance on the issue.

"Thomas has spoken about the concept of individual justice versus collective responsibility – it’s what our United States Constitution is all about," Probst said "It’s not the perfect solution, but I think it’s the best solution that could have been arrived at given the information and facts that were available."

One-hundred and eighteen of 389 Russian athletes have been banned from competition due to previous doping violations as determined by the Summer Olympic sport federations and confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the IOC.

Probst said that the IFs, which were delegated by the IOC the responsibility under tight time restraints, have done a satisfactory job. The USOC leader credited the weightlifting, rowing and swimming federations for their decisive action.

The United States will be represented by 555 athletes in Rio, 25 more than in London 2012.

U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun claimed the U.S. athletes are not overly concerned about going head-to-head with Russian athletes who may or may not be clean.

"I actually haven’t heard a single one of our athletes who is focused on this issue," Blackmun said at the news conference. "I think our athletes are ready to compete, they’re looking forward to it and I don’t think they’re spending any time worrying if the Russians are going to be there."

Blackmun was asked if the IOC is sending a mixed message by allowing some Russian athletes to take part in Rio, while others have been denied.

"At the end of the day, there are clean athletes to be included with those 270 for sure," Blackmun said.

"You have to look at both sides of the equation – the individual justice side suggests you have to let people compete by some due process if it hasn’t been proven that they doped."

Probst said the IOC is in unison about necessary measures to stamp out the culture of doping in international sport, however decisive action needs to happen immediately.

"One of the things I said is that this is not just Russia, it’s a global problem and it has to be addressed as quickly as possible," Probst said.

"Clearly, the current system is not working, it’s not living up to anyone’s expectations," he said. "We’ve advocated for a truly independent organization that is properly set-up and funded, one that has investigative powers and also has the authority to punish and sanction offenders.

"I hope that all the constituents: the IOC, WADA, the federations and the athletes work together to solve this problem as soon as possible."

Written by Brian Pinelliin Rio de Janeiro

For general comments or questions,click here.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.