Russian athletes banned from 2016 Olympics in Rio over dopingJune 18, 2016 - 17:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian track and field athletes remain banned from international competition, including the 2016 Olympics in Rio, BBC news reports. Athletics chiefs have decided not to lift the suspension, which was imposed in November following accusations of state-sponsored doping. But individual athletes can compete as neutrals if they prove they are clean. Meanwhile, Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva said she would challenge the IAAF's decision in court, claiming it was "a human rights violation." Isinbayeva, 34, who won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, added: "I'm disappointed and angry. I am offended. Nobody defended us. "Nobody fought for our rights and there are huge concerns over the IAAF itself and its stance on defending the rights of clean athletes. "We are blamed for something we have not done. I will not remain silent, I will take measures. I will appeal to the human rights court." Russian president Vladimir Putin described the ban as "unjust and unfair," BBC says. He said: "There are universally recognised principles of law and one of them is that the responsibility should be always personified. "If some of the members of your family have committed a crime, would it be fair to hold all the members of the family liable, including you? That is not how it's done. "The people who have nothing to do with violations, why should they suffer for those who committed the violations?" Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. Byblos Bank Armenia celebrates Students' Day with scholarship recipients YSU students who received scholarships from Byblos Bank Armenia gathered in a casual setting to meet with the Bank's CEO, Hayk Stepanyan. Azerbaijan extends Rune Vardanyan’s arrest by 5 months A court in Azerbaijan has extended the arrest of former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan by five months. Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |