Russia's top athletes reacted with anger after the news broke on Thursday (21st July) that their track and field team would remain banned from next month's Rio de Janeiro Olympics, as they took part in a final meet at the Meteor Stadium in Zhukovsky that had been scheduled as the final warm-up before Rio 2016.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Svetlana Uloga, Russian 800 metre runner:

"I think it's unfair to punish the whole country, all clean athletes. We have nothing to do with it and we are deprived of the opportunity. I'm 29, probably it was the only chance to go to the Olympics and I was deprived of it."

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Timofey Chaly, 400 metres hurdler and Rio 2016 Olympic team member:

"It's not only 68 athletes were banned, but actually so many people. It turns out that because of this politicised decision thousands of children won't join the Russian track and field athletics. They can do other sports, but they can also start drinking and smoking and ruin their lives. I think it will have a big impact not only on the country's track and field athletics and a very heavy blow on our youth on the whole."

SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Maria Kuchina, Russian high jumper, 2015 world champion:

"Despite all the difficulties and problems, we kept training. Today, I showed that I'd be in contention for the Olympic podium, regardless of the news today that came at 12."