Russian ban

US ex-ambassador, banned from entering Russia

Michael McFaul said the ban was "because of my close affiliation with [President Barack] Obama".

Mr McFaul said he was preparing to visit Russia "to do [Hillary] Clinton transition work" before Donald Trump won the US election.

Russia's foreign ministry confirmed the ban, Russian news agencies reported.

In a public post on Facebook, Mr McFaul said: "Was told that I am on the Kremlin's sanctions list because of my close affiliation with Obama. I will take that as a compliment! The US sanctioned Russians close to Putin.

Complete Russian ban from Rio Olympics "not impossible" if allegations proven

Pound, who led the WADA Independent Commission investigation which published claims of systemic doping in the Russian athletics team last November, was speaking as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) decided to maintain its ban on athletes from the world's largest nation from competing in any of its competitions.

Only those who are based outside Russia, so can prove they have been operating in an effective drug testing system, will be free to apply to compete as independent athletes at Rio 2016.