Anti-doping authorities may try to ban Russia from Rio Olympics

U.S. and Canadian anti-doping officials have drafted a letter recommending that all Russian athletes be banned from the 2016 Olympics in Rio if a forthcoming report shows evidence of state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

"We write on behalf of a community of clean athletes and anti-doping organizations," the letter says, arguing that if the doping rumors are confirmed, the "only appropriate, and permissible, course of action in these unprecedented circumstances" is immediate suspension.

European Olympic Committees President Pat Hickey said Saturday his review of the letter "has shocked and concerned me on a number of levels," adding that his "concern is that there seems to have been an attempt to agree an outcome before any evidence has been presented."

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If the letter's recommendations are accepted, Paralympic Russian athletes would be suspended as well. The report in question will be released Monday.