Unlike their Olympic counterparts, Paralympic officials had not previously allowed Russian athletes to bypass the ban and compete as individuals outside of qualifying events this fall. Olympic officials, who nominally banned Russia last month, have given 169 Russian athletes special clearance to compete when the Olympics begin on Feb. 9. Last November, that regulator denied Russia’s appeal for reinstatement, citing, in part, Russian officials’ lack of cooperation in sharing evidence from Moscow. Russian officials have apologized broadly for doping problems while refuting that the state directed widespread cheating. Russia’s inability to participate in the last Paralympics in Brazil provoked particularly pointed outcry from top Russian officials.

Source: New York Times January 29, 2018 10:41 UTC