Usain Bolt backs decision to ban Russian athletes from Rio Olympics

'Big' Usain Bolt celebrates on his knees after winning gold in the men's 200m at the World Championships on August 27, 2015
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Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt backs the decision to ban Russia's track and field stars from the Rio Games due to allegations of widespread doping.

Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has claimed that he is "all for" the decision to ban Russia's track and field athletes from competing at the Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.

Today, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the ban, which was issued by the IAAF last November.

The punishment was implemented following allegations of widespread doping and cover-ups by Russian athletes at the London 2012 Olympics.

Ahead of Friday's Anniversary Games in the UK capital, Bolt gave his reaction to the ban, telling reporters: "For me, if you have the proof and you catch somebody, I definitely feel you should take action. If you feel like banning the whole team is the right action, then I'm all for it.

"Rules are rules and doping violations in track and field [are] getting really bad, so if you feel like you need to make a statement, and this is how you feel like you need to make a statement, then thumbs up."

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee is planning to announce next week whether the ban will extend to all Russian athletes following accusations of a state-sponsored doping programme for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica crosses the finish line to win gold in the Men's 4x100 Metres Relay final ahead of Mike Rodgers of the United States during day eight of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 2
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