RIO DE JANEIRO – Olympic officials announced Thursday night that 271 Russian athletes would be allowed to compete in the Rio Games — 118 fewer than the country hoped to enter — largely settling the question of Russia's participation less than 24 hours before the Opening Ceremony.
The exclusion of nearly a third of Russia's athletes for their ties to a government-sanctioned doping program was a blow to the integrity of the Olympics and will severely diminish Russia's presence across several sports here. Still, the outcome is far better for Russia than what anti-doping officials had called for: a ban on the entire country.
Russia will now have a smaller delegation of athletes than 11 other countries.
Brazil plays to draw
Brazil started its quest for an Olympic gold medal in men's soccer with a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa in Group A, a result that prompted loud jeers by some of the home fans.
The Olympic gold is the only major trophy Brazil hasn't won in soccer.
In Group C, defending Olympic champion Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany despite twice having the lead.
Troubling report
The Indianapolis Star published a lengthy investigation into sexual abuse at the grassroots level of women's gymnastics in the United States.
Drawing on lawsuits, depositions and interviews with victimized gymnasts and their families, the newspaper detailed numerous instances in which USA Gymnastics failed to report criminal behavior by four member coaches — three are now in jail; the other committed suicide in jail — and instead filed the complaints away as "hearsay" unless they were reported directly by the victim or victim's parent.
