The International Olympic Committee has postponed a decision on whether to ban on the entire Russian Olympic team from the Rio Games but has announced a raft of measures in response to Monday’s report of state-directed doping.

The World Anti-Doping Agency had joined calls from national anti-doping agencies and athletes’ groups for the IOC to issue a blanket ban to Russia but the IOC’s executive board has asked for more time to consider its options.

After a four-hour meeting, Olympic bosses said they would “explore their legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes…versus the right to individual justice”.

They added that they also wanted to take into consideration the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision on Russia’s appeal against the International Association of Athletics Federation’s ban of the Russian track and field team.

That appeal started today and a decision is expected on Thursday.