AKIPRESS.COM - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is "disappointed" its recommendation to ban Russia from next month's Olympic Games in Rio has been rejected, according to BBC.

Following the country's doping scandal, the International Olympic Committee has left it up to individual sports' federations to ban Russian competitors.

WADA "stands by" its recommendation last month of a full Russia team ban.

WADA chief Olivier Niggli said the IOC's decision will "inevitably" mean "lesser protection for clean athletes."

WADA president Craig Reedie said investigators had "exposed, beyond a reasonable doubt, a state-run doping program in Russia that seriously undermines the principles of clean sport embodied within the World Anti-Doping Code."

There was also concern expressed for Yulia Stepanova, the Russian runner whose evidence was behind the doping evidence discovered, but will now not be allowed to compete in Rio under a neutral flag.

"WADA has been very vocal in supporting Yulia's desire to compete as an independent athlete," added Niggli.

"Stepanova was instrumental in courageously exposing the single biggest doping scandal of all time. WADA is very concerned by the message that this sends whistleblowers for the future."

Olympic organizers have been accused of a lack of leadership and creating a "confusing mess" over the Russia decision.

The IOC also ruled that any Russian athlete who has served a doping ban will not be eligible for the Games.

That means it will not allow whistleblower Stepanova to compete as a neutral athlete in Rio.