Russians railing over ban from Paralympics

Vladimir Lukin, president of the Russian Paralympic Committee, speaks during a news conference after Russia was barred on August 7, 2016 from taking part in next month's Rio Paralympics, in Moscow, Russia, August 8, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

A ban on Russian athletes competing in the Rio Paralympics was upheld on Tuesday, triggering anger in Moscow after the country lost an appeal against its exclusion over a state-run doping program.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal filed by the Russian Paralympic Committee, which sought to overturn the Aug 7 ban by the International Paralympic Committee.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev denounced the doping charges as a "thick and very nasty cocktail" and said the Paralympic ban constituted a "cynical" attempt by rivals to remove strong competitors from the Games.

The IPC took the tough action after the release of a bombshell report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, detailing drug-cheating directed by government officials and affecting dozens of sports.

Citing evidence compiled by WADA lead investigator Richard McLaren of Canada, the IPC argued Russia's disabled athletes had failed to comply with global anti-doping codes.

The Lausanne-based CAS said Russia's appeal "did not include any evidence contradicting the facts on which the IPC decision was based".

In a statement, the court confirmed Russia's ban from the Sept 7-18 Paralympics.

Medvedev, however, said on Facebook the decision showed "a number of states and their political and sports establishments were looking for a traditional enemy and found it once again."

Russian Paralympic Committee president Vladimir Lukin indicated the barred athletes would pursue their case further by filing individual complaints at the European Court of Human Rights.