The International Olympic Committee's executive board has recommended that sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competing in events following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The IOC said the executive board made the decision "in order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants" and that the body was acting with a "heavy heart."
The Russian Olympic Committee categorically disagreed with the IOC, saying the decision "contradicts both the regulatory documents of the IOC and the (Olympic) Charter."