Vladimir Morozov becomes first Russian to appeal Olympic ban

Rio de Janeiro: London Olympics bronze medalist Vladimir Morozov on Saturday became the first athlete to appeal to the international sports tribunal against a ban on competing at the Rio Games ordered by the International Olympic Committee, sports sources said.

Morozov, a member of the 4x100m freestyle relay team that came third in 2012, is one of seven Russian swimmers banned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) following the IOC directive.

Morozov filed his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Saturday, the sources said.

After a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) backed investigation said there had been Russian state-organised doping, the IOC on July 24 ordered individual federations to rule which Russian athletes could compete in Rio.

Since then, at least 117 Russians have been ruled out of the Rio Games which start on Friday.