CAS to hold hearings in May in Russian doping cases

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday that it will hold hearings next month in the doping cases of 12 Russian track and field athletes.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday that it will hold hearings next month in the doping cases of 12 Russian track and field athletes hoping to compete at the Rio Olympics 2016.

A file photo of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (AFP Photo)

CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb says verdicts are expected a few weeks later.

The highest court in sports took over the cases because Russia’s track and field federation was suspended by the IAAF in November after allegations of state-sponsored doping.

In some cases, athletes agreed on a single CAS hearing without an appeal stage.

Reeb tells The Associated Press “that would be the best option to be ready for the decision on time before the (Olympic) selection date.”

The IAAF is hoping to decide within weeks if Russia’s track federation can be reinstated in time for the Rio de Janeiro Games in August.