The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced a decision that would see Russia banned from all major sporting events for four years.
If upheld, the ban would mean the only chance for Russian weightlifters to appear at the 2020 Olympic Games would be for them to independently prove themselves to be clean athletes and compete under a neutral flag. It would also mean no Russian team at world and European championships for several years.
Russia was already limited to just one male and one female weightlifter at Tokyo 2020 due to exceeding anti-doping violation thresholds.
The ban relates to investigations of the Russian anti-doping laboratory that has been deemed non-compliant with WADA requirements. It was decided that data which was required to be delivered to WADA investigators was not complete or had been modified.
It seems likely that Russia will now appeal the case, meaning it will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).