Russian athletics barred from Rio Olympics

The global governing body for athletics - the IAAF - upheld its decision to ban Russia's track and field athletes from competing at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Associated Press.

IAAF president Sebastian Coe and his constituents ruled Friday that Russian athletics had not completed what was required to "restore global confidence" in the athletes involved in the country's widespread doping scandal, reports Rebecca R. Ruiz of the New York Times.

The Russian ministry presented a plea before the decision was made final, claiming it had taken the proper precautions and steps to earn reinstatement, and the organization's trust.

It has since appealed to the International Olympic Committee to "consider the impact that our athletes' exclusion will have on the dreams and the people of Russia.''

The athletes have been barred from competition for seven months, and since the World Doping Agency accused the federation and government of having organized an intricate doping program.