Three New Zealand rowing crews who narrowly missed qualifying for the Rio Olympics have been asked to continue training amid concerns doping results might see other countries' athletes drop out and leave spots open.
The IAAF, the world athletics body, this month banned Russian track and field competitors from Rio because of the country's doping culture.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) on Tuesday night denied rumours it had been told a wholesale ban on Russian athletes from the Games over doping was imminent, but said positive drugs tests in the lead-up remained a possibility.
NZOC chief Kereyn Smith said, as a result, Rowing New Zealand had called three crews who missed out on qualification in May back to Lake Karapiro to continue their training.
"Drug testing in the build-up to the Olympic Games is a high priority for the international sporting movement and positive drug tests from international athletes that may affect New Zealand Olympic qualification cannot be ruled out," he said.
