MOSCOW (AP) — A much-depleted Russian team has departed for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, missing dozens of athletes who were excluded amid the country's doping scandal.
Team members left on a charter flight Thursday from Moscow's Sheremetevo airport to Brazil, a day after an emotional farewell ceremony with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
More than 100 athletes from what was originally a 387-strong team have been barred from competing in Rio by international sports federations under sanctions which most Russian athletes consider unfair.
"We're after medals, that's it," handball player Anna Sen said.