Banned Russia might not make Rio: Pound

Athletics superpower Russia may not be able to send track and field athletes to the Rio de Janeiro Games because of the country's ongoing doping problems, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) independent commission chief Dick Pound.

Russia is running out of time to eradicate doping, Pound said on Wednesday at an anti-doping conference.

"There seems to be some evidence that they're just changing deckchairs on the Titanic."

Russian athletes were banned from international competition after a report by Pound's commission revealing widespread doping and graft with involvement of Russian and international athletics officials. Russian athletics authorities were ordered to carry out sweeping reforms to allow a lifting of the ban.

"My guess is Russia may not make it back for Rio. The IAAF and WADA are not going to risk their reputations by rolling over and playing dead," Pound said.

Last week, a German TV documentary contained new allegations of malpractice in Russia's anti-doping system.