Russia's only track and field athlete in Rio has exceptional eligibility withdrawn

By Dev Trehan

Image: Darya Klishina has appealed the ruling to CAS

Russian long jumper Darya Klishina has had her 'exceptional eligibility' status for the Rio 2016 games withdrawn, an IAAF source has told Sky Sports News HQ.

Klishina has appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport - who have set up a court in Rio - with a decision expected on either Sunday or Monday, before the long jump competition begins Tuesday.

The former European indoor champion's sanction comes as a result of new information that came to light last week. It is understood that this information has been shared with her.

Klishina was the only Russian cleared to compete in the athletics at Rio 2016 after she had demonstrated she was clean and had been trained and coached outside of Russia.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Klishina said: "I am a clean athlete and have proved that already many times and beyond any doubt.

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"Based in the U.S. for three years now, I have been almost exclusively tested outside of the anti-doping system in question.

"I am falling victim to those who created a system of manipulating our beautiful sport and is guilty of using it for political purposes."

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Image: Klishina in action at last year's World Championships

"I will take every possible effort to protect my clean image as an athlete. At this moment I cannot help but feel betrayed by a system that is not focused on keeping the sport clean and supporting rank-and-file athletes, but rather seeking victories outside sport arenas."

The International Olympic Committee ruled out a blanket ban on Russia last month but imposed new rules which have barred some Russian athletes in various sports because their names were implicated in a report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren, who alleged a major doping cover-up.

McLaren said he had received leaked e-mails in which senior Russian Sports Ministry officials discussed whether or not to conceal doping cases related to hundreds of athletes across dozens of Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

Some Russian athletes who featured in that report were able to regain their Olympic spots on appeal to CAS, though others were refused.

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