IOC to Investigate, Retest Russian Athletes, Coaches, Staff from 2014 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to investigate the actions of the Russian delegation at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday the probe is going to include "athletes, coaches and support staff," and it will include the retesting of samples from the 2014 Olympics.

BBC Sport noted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is seeking a complete ban on Russian athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. The call came after an independent commission led by Dr. Richard McLaren found at least 580 positive tests were covered up during a four-year period starting in 2011 as part of a state-sponsored doping program.

The Russian track and field team was already banned from the Olympics as a result of the scandal. The country's Olympic committee filed an appeal of that suspension with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier in July, according to the AP, but on Thursday, the AP's Rob Harris reported their appeal was denied: 

Dan Roan of BBC Sport pointed out the IOC is going to "explore legal options" about a full Russian ban.

The IOC issued a statement about the situation, stating: "The eligibility of each Russian athlete will have to be decided by his or her International Federation based on an individual analysis of his or her international anti-doping record."

Meanwhile, Russia Olympic Committee president Alexander Zhukov stated U.S. and Canadian doping agencies are working with WADA on a "well-orchestrated biased campaign" in an attempt to "create an international coalition of sportsmen and organizations, supporting the banning of Russian athletes from the Olympics," per RT.com.

Though the IOC is opening a new investigation into the claims of Russian doping in 2014, no timetable was announced for its completion. With less than three weeks until the start of this year's games on Aug. 5, it's unlikely the findings will be available in time to provide evidence for a decision.

In turn, the CAS ruling concerning the Russian track and field athletes is crucial. With the ban upheld, the IOC may further explore the potential of a complete ban.