Kuwait Loses Swiss Court Challenge Against IOC Ban

Kuwait has reportedly lost its Swiss court case against an IOC ban that "will see the nation's athletes compete under the Olympic flag at the Rio Olympics," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. The Civil Court of the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland "rejected Kuwait's case against the IOC," notifying the parties earlier on Tuesday. Kuwait and the IOC have "been at loggerheads over a new sports law that the Olympic body says will undermine the autonomy of sport in the country." Kuwait argues it will "strengthen the independence of sports bodies." The court decision means Kuwait's nine athletes eligible to compete at the Rio Games in shooting, fencing and swimming, "will do so as neutral athletes." The court also ordered Kuwait and its Public Authority for Sport to pay the IOC about €10,000 ($11,229) in fees and expenses. Kuwait has the right to appeal to the Swiss Federal court "within 30 days of the decision" (REUTERS, 8/2).