Please see below statements from the British Olympic Association and the British Olympic Association's Athletes' Commission relating to last night’s decision of the IOC Executive Board.
: “We take no pleasure in the outcome of the IOC Commissions. However, the IOC has taken the right decision.
“We believe this to be a seminal moment in the battle against doping, particularly when it is systematic and widespread, and must acknowledge the role of the IOC and WADA in moving to restore the integrity of Olympic sport.”
: “Based on the findings of the independent reports commissioned by the IOC we believe this ban is the correct and appropriate outcome. We are optimistic this decision will send a clear message to both athletes and officials who have cheated.
“We now place great importance on the work of the IOC Panel to determine clean athletes to compete in PyeongChang 2018, and in doing so hope they give our athletes the confidence that they line up in a clean competition against the best in the world.
“Our disappointment still remains for those athletes robbed of medals and precious moments in Sochi 2014 and other Olympic Games.”