Russian athletes banned competing the Rio 2016

<p>Russian athletes have been banned from competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics following the country's doping scandal.</p><p>The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had opened suspension proceedings following the McLaren report, and has now confirmed the ban.</p><p>That report, published last month, detailed a state-sponsored doping programme operated by Russia.</p><p>The Russian Paralympic Committee is to appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.</p><p>In contrast to the IPC, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose not to hand Russia a blanket ban from the Olympic Games.</p><p>The Rio 2016 Paralympics begin in 31 days' time, on 7 September, and 267 Russian athletes across 18 sports will now miss the Games.<br></p>