LAUSANNE: The Inter­national Olympic Committee has decided to extend the provisional sanctions imposed on Russia over allegations of widespread doping.

The IOC executive board says the sanctions imposed on July 19 have been extended “until further notice”.

Under the measures, the IOC will not organise or “give patronage” to any sports events or meetings in Russia.

In addition, the IOC urges all Olympic winter sports federations to “freeze their preparations for major events in Russia,” including world championships and World Cups and “to actively look for alternative organisers.”

The measures had originally been designed to apply until the end of this year.

Published in Dawn December 8th, 2016