Russian Wrestler Victor Lebedev Cleared to Participate in Rio

The head of Russia's Olympic delegation says a leading wrestler has been cleared to fight at the games despite a previous doping ban.

Victor Lebedev, a two-time freestyle world champion, had been excluded under an International Olympic Committee rule barring Russians who had previously been banned for doping.

Russian chef de mission Igor Kazikov tells state news agencies that Lebedev was cleared by the IOC after that rule was struck down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The announcement continues a turbulent summer for Lebedev, who had originally refused to go to the Olympics as "a matter of honor" after being embarrassed by what he called biased refereeing in his favor at a Russian qualifying tournament.

He was later persuaded to compete in Rio by Russian officials.

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