Rio 2016: Russia stages games for banned athletes in Moscow

    Motez Bishara, CNN

    Updated 1436 GMT (2236 HKT) July 28, 2016

    Long jumper Darya Klishina will be the only Russian track and field competing at Rio 2016.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Long jumper Darya Klishina will be the only Russian track and field competing at Rio 2016.
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    But the International Olympic Committee has told doping whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova she can't compete at Rio.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    But the International Olympic Committee has told doping whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova she can't compete at Rio.
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    The Russian Olympic team attended a farewell ceremony at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in July. Many of the country's athletes won't be at Rio 2016 as a result of the doping scandal that has overshadowed the Olympics.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    The Russian Olympic team attended a farewell ceremony at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport in July. Many of the country's athletes won't be at Rio 2016 as a result of the doping scandal that has overshadowed the Olympics.
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    Russia's Olympic Committee (ROC) president Alexander Zhukov has denied allegations that there was a state-sponsored doping scandal before, during and after the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Russia's Olympic Committee (ROC) president Alexander Zhukov has denied allegations that there was a state-sponsored doping scandal before, during and after the Sochi 2014 Winter Games.
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    Volleyball player Dmitrij Volkov checks in ahead of the Russian team's journey to Rio.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Volleyball player Dmitrij Volkov checks in ahead of the Russian team's journey to Rio.
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    Some of the athletes cleared to compete in Brazil gathered for a ceremony at the airport.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Some of the athletes cleared to compete in Brazil gathered for a ceremony at the airport.
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    Before departing for Rio the team attended a religious service at Assumption Cathedral at the Kremlin.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Before departing for Rio the team attended a religious service at Assumption Cathedral at the Kremlin.
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    Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Krill, left, blesses one of the athletes.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Krill, left, blesses one of the athletes.
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    Yelena Isinbayeva is one of Russia's most famous athletes, but she won't be at the Rio Games. The polevaulter is barred from competing due to the blanket ban the IAAF placed on Russian track and field athletes. She wiped away a tear after giving a speech during a reception for the team hosted by President Putin.
    Photos: The Russians going to Rio ... and some who aren't
    Yelena Isinbayeva is one of Russia's most famous athletes, but she won't be at the Rio Games. The polevaulter is barred from competing due to the blanket ban the IAAF placed on Russian track and field athletes. She wiped away a tear after giving a speech during a reception for the team hosted by President Putin.
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    Another athlete missing out is Sergey Shubenkov, who is the reigning 110-meter hurdles champion and would have been a strong medal contender in Rio. Instead, Shubenkov and other banned athletes took part in the Stars 2016 Tournament in Moscow, organized as an alternative for Russia's track and field team.