Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Graeme Steel confirmed that New Zealand would be part of the group backing the letter. New Zealand are set to be part of a group of countries reportedly planning to demand Russia's entire team be banned from the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio. The McLaren report was sparked by a New York Times story accusing the Russian government of helping to manipulate tests at the Sochi Games to ensure cheaters wouldn't get caught. The letter encourages exceptions for Russia-born athletes who can prove they were subject to strong anti-doping systems in other countries. Last week, IOC President Thomas Bach said it was important to strike the right balance between "collective responsibility and individual justice" in dealing with results from the McLaren report.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 17, 2016 06:00 UTC