Russia's ban lifted for Olympic basketball qualifiers

Russia’s national basketball team will be allowed to take part in Olympic qualification after officials partially lifted a ban on the country’s basketball federation.

The sport’s world governing body FIBA suspended the Russian Basketball Federation last month after infighting led to a series of legal battles, with president Yulia Anikeeva ousted by court order over allegations she took the post in a rigged election.

Now FIBA says in a statement that the federation remains suspended but its national teams will be allowed to compete.

As a result the Russian men’s team, the Olympic bronze medalist in 2012, is free to take part in next month’s European championship, known as EuroBasket, a key Olympic qualifier.