LONDON: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it was not worried about an expected ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) expected today on whether 32 Russian athletes should be allowed to compete at the Winter Games starting this week.
As many as 32 Russian athletes filed yet more appeals with CAS seeking spots in the games. The 32 failed to pass IOC vetting and were not invited.
“We’re not fearful in any way,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.
“We wait for the decision (today). We’re very confident with the stance we’ve taken.”
The IOC expects 168 Russian athletes who have been deemed “clean” to participate in the games under the banner of “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” absent of any national flags, uniforms or national logos.
The contentious issue of the Russian ban, and the way it was handled by the IOC, threatens to overshadow the games themselves with 3,000 athletes expected to compete.
The sense that the story refuses to go away was only added to as Russia’s Olympic Athletes Commission expressed “huge disappointment” over the IOC’s decision not to invite to Pyeongchang 15 Russian athletes and staff whose life bans for doping were lifted.
The IOC ruled on Monday that 13 Russian athletes and two ex-athletes now working as support staff will not be invited to the Pyeongchang Winter Games despite having their life bans for doping removed last week by CAS.
The IOC has barred Russia from the Pyeongchang Olympics, which open on Friday, over a widespread doping conspiracy. But 169 Russians who have passed strict anti-doping protocols will compete under a neutral flag as Olympic Athletes from Russia.
“With a huge disappointment, the members of ROC’s Athletes’ Commission have found out about decision of IOC’s Invitation Review Panel not to invite 13 Russian athletes and 2 coaches fully acquitted by (the CAS) to 2018 Winter Olympics,” the commission statement said.
“It’s surprising that IOC Commission makes its decisions on the basis of some additional, suspicious, and anonymous information and accounts of one single fraudster,” the commission said, referring to whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, who is the source of revelations on Moscow’s state-sponsored doping.
The Russian athletes’ statement said that they have supported the IOC statement “that it’s necessary to respect rights of clean athletes.”
However, the commission said that the “massive denial for clean Russian athletes violates the principle of equality and contests efficiency of justice.”
“Dreams of athletes willing to participate in Olympics who have fairly won the right for it are being destroyed, and irreparable damage is being caused to basic ideals, values of Olympism,” it said.
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IOC calm over Pyeongchang Winter Games doping appeal by Russian athletes
IOC calm over Pyeongchang Winter Games doping appeal by Russian athletes
Hakimi, Salah and Osimhen head star-packed AFCON last-16 cast
- A star-studded cast led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen switch to knockout fare from Saturday, when the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco
RABAT: A star-studded cast led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen switch to knockout fare from Saturday, when the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi was crowned 2025 African player of the year in November. Liverpool attacker Salah and Galatasaray striker Osimhen were the runners-up.
After 36 matches spread across six groups, the 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls clash in eight second-round matches over four days.
Fit-again Hakimi is set to lead title favorites Morocco against Tanzania, Salah will captain Egypt against Benin and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria tackle Mozambique.
AFP Sport looks at the match-ups that will determine which nations advance to the quarter-finals, and move one step closer to a record $10 million (8.5 million euros) first prize.
Senegal v Sudan
Veteran Sadio Mane and Paris Saint-Germain 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, in two appearances off the bench, have been among the stars as 2022 champions Senegal confirmed why they are among the favorites by winning Group D. Sudan, representing a country ravaged by civil war since 2023, reached the second round despite failing to score. Their only Group F win, against Equatorial Guinea, came via an own goal.
Mali v Tunisia
“If we carry on playing like this we will not go much further,” warned Belgium-born Mali coach Tom Saintfiet after three Group A draws. Tunisia did well to hold Morocco, but were woeful against Nigeria until they trailed by three goals. The Carthage Eagles then scored twice and came close to equalising.
Morocco v Tanzania
A mismatch on paper as Morocco, whose only previous title came 50 years ago, are 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings. The east Africans ended a 45-year wait to get past the first round thanks to two draws. Morocco boast a potent strike force of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos. They have scored three goals each to share the Golden Boot lead with Algerian Riyad Mahrez.
South Africa v Cameroon
South Africa debuted in the AFCON 30 years ago by hammering Cameroon 3-0 in Johannesburg. It should be much closer when they meet a second time with only four places separating them in the world rankings. In pursuit of goals, South Africa will look to Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster while 19-year-old Christian Kofane struck a stunning match-winner for Cameroon against Mozambique.
Egypt v Benin
Struggling to score for Liverpool this season, Salah has regained his appetite for goals in southern Morocco. He claimed match winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa to win Group B. Benin celebrated their first AFCON win 25 years after debuting by edging Botswana. The Cheetahs are a compact, spirited outfit led by veteran striker Steve Mounie, but lack punch up front.
Nigeria v Mozambique
Livewire Osimhen is a huge aerial threat and could have scored hat-tricks against Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C, but managed just one goal. Fellow former African player of the year Ademola Lookman has also impressed. Mozambique lost 3-0 in their previous AFCON meeting with the Super Eagles 16 years ago. It is likely to be tighter this time with striker Geny Catamo posing a threat for the Mambas (snakes).
Algeria v DR Congo
The clash of two former champions is potentially the match of the round. It is the only tie involving two European coaches — Bosnian Vladimir Petkovic and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre. Algeria and Nigeria were the only teams to win all three group matches. Former Manchester City winger Mahrez has been an inspirational captain while scoring three times.
Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
This is the only match featuring nations from the same region. Burkina Faso and defending champions Ivory Coast share a border in west Africa. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the only winner of two player-of-the-match awards in the group stage. The Ivorian now face impressive Burkinabe defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi was crowned 2025 African player of the year in November. Liverpool attacker Salah and Galatasaray striker Osimhen were the runners-up.
After 36 matches spread across six groups, the 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls clash in eight second-round matches over four days.
Fit-again Hakimi is set to lead title favorites Morocco against Tanzania, Salah will captain Egypt against Benin and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria tackle Mozambique.
AFP Sport looks at the match-ups that will determine which nations advance to the quarter-finals, and move one step closer to a record $10 million (8.5 million euros) first prize.
Senegal v Sudan
Veteran Sadio Mane and Paris Saint-Germain 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, in two appearances off the bench, have been among the stars as 2022 champions Senegal confirmed why they are among the favorites by winning Group D. Sudan, representing a country ravaged by civil war since 2023, reached the second round despite failing to score. Their only Group F win, against Equatorial Guinea, came via an own goal.
Mali v Tunisia
“If we carry on playing like this we will not go much further,” warned Belgium-born Mali coach Tom Saintfiet after three Group A draws. Tunisia did well to hold Morocco, but were woeful against Nigeria until they trailed by three goals. The Carthage Eagles then scored twice and came close to equalising.
Morocco v Tanzania
A mismatch on paper as Morocco, whose only previous title came 50 years ago, are 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings. The east Africans ended a 45-year wait to get past the first round thanks to two draws. Morocco boast a potent strike force of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos. They have scored three goals each to share the Golden Boot lead with Algerian Riyad Mahrez.
South Africa v Cameroon
South Africa debuted in the AFCON 30 years ago by hammering Cameroon 3-0 in Johannesburg. It should be much closer when they meet a second time with only four places separating them in the world rankings. In pursuit of goals, South Africa will look to Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster while 19-year-old Christian Kofane struck a stunning match-winner for Cameroon against Mozambique.
Egypt v Benin
Struggling to score for Liverpool this season, Salah has regained his appetite for goals in southern Morocco. He claimed match winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa to win Group B. Benin celebrated their first AFCON win 25 years after debuting by edging Botswana. The Cheetahs are a compact, spirited outfit led by veteran striker Steve Mounie, but lack punch up front.
Nigeria v Mozambique
Livewire Osimhen is a huge aerial threat and could have scored hat-tricks against Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C, but managed just one goal. Fellow former African player of the year Ademola Lookman has also impressed. Mozambique lost 3-0 in their previous AFCON meeting with the Super Eagles 16 years ago. It is likely to be tighter this time with striker Geny Catamo posing a threat for the Mambas (snakes).
Algeria v DR Congo
The clash of two former champions is potentially the match of the round. It is the only tie involving two European coaches — Bosnian Vladimir Petkovic and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre. Algeria and Nigeria were the only teams to win all three group matches. Former Manchester City winger Mahrez has been an inspirational captain while scoring three times.
Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso
This is the only match featuring nations from the same region. Burkina Faso and defending champions Ivory Coast share a border in west Africa. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the only winner of two player-of-the-match awards in the group stage. The Ivorian now face impressive Burkinabe defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo.
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