IOC approves entry of 271 Russian athletes for Rio Games

RIO DE JANEIRO — The IOC approved the entry of 271 Russian athletes for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Thursday, meaning 70 percent of the country’s original team will compete in the Games after the scandal over state-sponsored doping.

[...] Thursday, the IOC’s rule barring Russian athletes with prior doping sanctions from competing in the Games was rejected as “unenforceable” by an Olympic sports-arbitration panel.

The IOC recently rejected calls from antidoping organizations to ban Russia’s entire team following a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency investigator that detailed evidence of state-directed doping and cover-ups.

The IOC set up a panel of three executive board members to make the final call, taking into account the advice of an independent sports arbitrator.

Several international federations announced separately Thursday that they had received the final approval for Russian entries in their events, including boxing, judo, equestrian, volleyball and golf.

Police said a Russian diplomat trying to repel an attempted robbery near the Olympic Park was involved in a shooting that left the assailant dead.

Rio police said the unidentified Russian vice consul wrestled with the gunman trying to rob him, causing the weapon to go off and killing the robber.