MOSCOW, July 21 — Russia’s sports minister said today a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reject a legal challenge by a group of Russian athletes against a ban on them competing in the Rio Olympics violated the rights of honest Russian sportspeople.

Vitaly Mutko, in comments broadcast on Russian state television, said that the CAS decision created a precedent of collective responsibility and punished athletes not involved in doping.

He said Russia did not accept there was a state-sponsored doping programme in Russia. — Reuters