olympics | News & notes

At least 86 banned from Russian team

At least 86 athletes from the 387-strong Russian Olympic team announced last week have so far been barred from the Rio Games in connection with the country’s doping scandal.

International federations in canoeing, sailing and modern pentathlon ruled out eight on Tuesday, including an Olympic gold medalist, following earlier rulings in swimming and rowing. Some appeals are likely.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that Putin had discussed the doping issue with his national security council.

“The topic of the recent International Olympic Committee ruling relating to Russian athletes was raised ahead of Putin’s planned meeting tomorrow with the Russian Olympic team,” Peskov was quoted as saying.

The vast majority of the Russian athletes who miss out are in track and field, where 67 athletes were ruled out when a ban on the Russian team was upheld at the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.

More are falling foul of new rules imposed in the wake of the country’s doping scandal.

While Russia avoided a blanket ban from the International Olympic Committee, it has lost several medal contenders to new IOC rules imposed Sunday banning Russia from entering athletes who previously doped.

2 Brazil warplanes collide while training

Authorities in Brazil say two Brazilian navy jets have collided near Rio de Janeiro while training for protecting the Olympic Games that open in 10 days.

Brazil’s navy says no one was injured as one of the warplanes crashed into the sea Tuesday and the other was able to land despite damage.

The AF-1 Skyhawks were among the planes the military will use to patrol Rio’s airspace during the games from Aug. 5 to 21.

The pilot of one jet ejected safely and the plane fell into the sea about 20 kilometers (12 miles) off Rio’s coast. The second aircraft was damaged but its pilot was able to land.

Brazil slum residents refuse to move

Residents of a Rio de Janeiro shantytown that was demolished earlier this year to make room for the Olympic Park have refused to move into the housing project the municipal government built for them.

Vila Autodromo was once home to around 700 families. Most left the city or accepted offers of compensation or resettlement in a nearby housing complex.

But 20 families had refused to move out and a new housing project was built for them. They were scheduled to move in Tuesday but refused to do so, complaining of the lack of paved streets and public lighting.

City officials say the streets will be paved and lighting will be installed by the end of the week.

The Olympics are scheduled to begin on Aug. 5.

Associated Press