Usain Bolt: Russia Olympic ban will scare athletes considering doping
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Jamaican Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt thinks the ban on Russian track and field athletes competing in the Rio Games will scare athletes who are considering doping, according to the Associated Press.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport denied Russia’s appeal of the ban on Thursday, preventing 68 Russian track and field athletes from participating in the Olympics after allegations surfaced of widespread doping and state-sponsored coverups by the country.
“This will scare a lot of people, send a strong message,” Bolt said at a press conference before his London Diamond League race, where he will prove his fitness to compete at Rio in the 200 meters on Friday.
Bolt, who has always firmly denied using PEDs and holds a clean testing record, said the actions taken by the IAAF and CAS show that “if you cheat or go against the rules...serious action” will be taken.
• LAYDEN: Usain Bolt chasing three more golds in his final Olympics
After withdrawing from the Jamaican Olympic trials with a hamstring tear, Bolt was granted a medical exemption allowing him to be named on the Jamaican national team before proving his fitness in the Diamond League race.
He will run his first 200 meter race of the season on Friday as he looks to defend his 100, 200 and 4x100-meter gold medals in Rio de Janeiro. He will attempt to become the first man to win gold medals in the three events at three straight Olympics.
