Seven Russian swimmers ineligible for Rio Games: FINA

FINA has ruled that seven Russian swimmers, including breaststroke medal hopeful Yulia Efimova, are ineligible to compete in the Rio Olympics, world swimming's governing body said on Monday.

The International Olympic Committee ruled on Sunday not to impose a blanket ban on Russian athletes due to the country's doping history, allowing sports federations to decide on individual cases.

"FINA acknowledges and supports the IOC’s position in respect of the participation of clean Russian athletes to the Olympic Games in Rio," it said in a statement.

Russian swimmers Mikhail Dovgalyuk, Natalia Lovtcova and Anastasia Krapivina were also withdrawn.

Nikita Lobintsev, Vladimir Morozov and Daria Ustinova are ineligible to compete at the Rio Games as their names appeared in a recent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Person report, FINA said. 

Image: Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova

Photograph: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports/Files