A total of 278 Russian athletes cleared for Rio Olympics

A total of 278 Russian athletes have been given the green light to compete at the Rio Olympic Games, according to a handout by the International Olympic Committee on Sunday.

Reigning world champion Yulia Efimova already competed in the 100m breaststroke after the swimmer successfuly challenged the IOC's ban from the Games for her previous doping record. As a matter of fact, the whole swimming team was allowed into the Games following an initial ban on seven swimmers including Efimova.

The teams of track and field and weightlifting remain absent while the rowing team was reduced to four competitors, down from 28.

On July 24, the IOC ruled against a blanket ban on the entire Russian team amid the doping scandal and left it to the respective international federations to decide on whether individual Russian athletes will be participating in the Rio Olympics.

According to the IOC handout, there were 389 Russian athletes originally qualified as of July 18.

Source : XINHUA