Kiwi athletes could be going to Rio despite not qualifying if widespread and systemic doping among Russian athletes is revealed. The doping scandal is set to be revealed, which would free up space for athletes from all over the world who may have missed out on Olympics qualification. International governing bodies have told sporting organisations to put athletes on standby for the Olympic games due to the potential for all of Russia's athletes to be disqualified, TVNZ has reported. Up to a dozen Kiwi athletes could be affected across a number of different sports, not just track and field, which has already been hit by anti-doping controversy. Last week the International Olympic Committee voted to ban Russia's track and field athletes following a suspension in November after a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency commission alleged state-sponsored cheating, corruption and cover-ups in Russian track and field.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 28, 2016 07:18 UTC