The New Zealand Olympic Committee says it has not been told of any plan to ban Russian athletes from Rio for doping.
Following reports from TVNZ tonight that a wholesale ban of Russia's athletes from the Olympic Games was set to be revealed, the committee confirmed this was not something they or national sporting organisations in New Zealand had heard.
Kereyn Smith, CEO of the NZOC said "nonetheless drug testing in the build up to the Olympic Games is a high priority for the international sporting movement" and that positive drug tests from international athletes that may affect New Zealand Olympic qualification could not be ruled out.
New Zealand's three rowing crews who narrowly missed qualification at the May last chance qualification regatta in Lucerne have returned to New Zealand to continue training at Lake Karapiro at the request of their sport, Rowing New Zealand, Ms Smith said.
"Should any international doping infringement lead to a reallocation of Olympic quota spots that could be reallocated to a New Zealand athlete or team, the New Zealand Olympic Committee would be advised after the process had been completed by the relevant doping agency and international sporting federation."
