Russia athletes 'set to be banned' from Rio Olympic Games by IOC after 'culture of state sponsored doping'

The decision, set to be announced today, comes after a Wada report into the conduct of Russian athletes revealed a “culture” of state-sponsored doping

A decision about the participation of the Russian Olympic team (pictured) in Rio 2016 will be taken this weekend (Getty)

The Russian team are expected to be banned by the International Olympic Committee from competing under their national flag at the Rio Games this summer.

The decision, set to be announced today, comes after a Wada report into the conduct of Russian athletes revealed a “culture” of state-sponsored doping since the turn of the millennium.

It means up to 387 athletes could be banned from participating in Brazil this summer in their country’s name.

A source told the Daily Mail: “The IOC want to ban Russia to show this is an assault on the whole of sport. That effectively means expulsion from Rio.

“But Thomas Bach (the IOC president) also wants to give consideration to the rights of individuals.”

The newspaper continues by adding that the IOC will request that international federations, responsible for individual sports, investigate whether any Russian athletes can prove “to a very high standard” they did not become embroiled in doping.

Another matter for debate is the presence of Wada president Sir Craig Reedie, 75, who in the past has appeared to overlook the evidence of Russian wrongdoing.

In a letter to Russian anti-doping commissioner Natalia Zhelanova, Reedie wrote: “I wish to make it clear to you and the Minister that there is no action being taken by Wada that is critical of the efforts which I know have been made, and are being made, to improve anti-doping efforts in Russia.

“I value the relationship I have with Minister Mutko and I shall be grateful if you [Zhelanova] will inform him that there is no intention in Wada to do anything to affect that relationship.”

The report adds that it remains unlikely that every Russian official or grandee will be refused entry to the Olympics this summer, meaning President Vladimir Putin and his colleagues could still attend.