Russian Swimming President Says Efimova + 4 More Cleared by FINA

According to Russian Swimming Federation President Vladimir Salnikov, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has cleared four-time world champion Yulia Efimova along with four other Russian swimmers as a result of Efimova’s appeal to the Court for Arbitration of Sport.

Yesterday’s CAS decision was complicated (and it’s explored in further depth here). The CAS does not believe that the IOC has the right to put a blanket ban from the Olympics on all previously-sanctioned Russian dopers, and, with that in mind, it sent the decision back to the IOC.

And, according to Salnikov, the Russian Swimming Federation received a letter from the IOC confirming that she can take part in the Olympic Games. FINA has also stated their approval.

Also allowed to participate will be Anastasia Krapivina, Mikhail Dogaluk, Nataliya Lovtsova, and Daria Ustinova (a backstroker who just filed her own appeal with the CAS).

“”FINA said that it supports the rights of Efimova, Anastasia Krapivina, Mikhail Dovgaluk, Daria Ustinova and Nataliya Lovtsova to being allowed to take part in the Games and has sent its recommendation to CAS,” Salnikov told R-Sport.

If the decision pans out, Efimova, the bronze medalist in the 100 breast at the 2012 Olympic Games, will swim the prelims of the women’s 100 breast on Sunday.

A Facebook post by Efimova’s agent Andrey Mikkov shows the swimmer in tears at the news.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=593111624182035&set=a.353577821468751.1073741829.100004496084657&type=3&theater