By: Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Polina Mikhailova, Maria Dolgikh and Alexander Shibaev will be able to play in the tournament which commences in Riocentro Pavilion 3 on Saturday 6th August.

Investigation

An investigation which included an individual test analysis of each player, conducted outside the Russian anti-doping system met the necessary requirements. Additionally there was confirmation by World Anti-Doping Agency that none was implicated in the McLaren findings released on Monday 18th July,

The ITTF believes that the evidence provided meets the requirements of the IOC and confirms the eligibility players in question.

Testing Continues

However, if the International Table Tennis Federation’s ongoing testing programme or further findings from Professor McLaren’s extended mandate reveals any potential anti-doping rule violation or wrongdoing; in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code immediate action which may result in sanctions will be taken.

Importantly, the International Table Tennis Federation’s will continue to take doping issues very seriously and do everything in its power to ensure that table tennis stays clean, not just at the Olympic Games, but in all levels of table tennis.

Qualification

Polina Mikhailova and Maria Dolgikh will both play in the Women’s Singles event in Rio de Janeiro; Alexander Shibaev will compete in the counterpart Men’s Singles competition.

Both Alexander Shibaev and Polina Mikhailova booked their places by succeeding at ITTF-European Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Halmstad, Sweden; Maria Dolgikh received one of the unused team quota places.