Rio de Janeiro – The IOC has finally issued a proclamation that all Russian horses involved in equestrian events will be banned from further competition in the 2016 Olympics. These horses are the latest in a series of high-profile suspensions that came following the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigation which unveiled a rigorous state-run doping program throughout Russia. WADA officials insist that the various samples the horses provided were tainted and that the horses themselves were “entirely uncooperative” in assisting the investigation. At present, Russian equestrian riders who have not been banned will still be allowed to compete, however they will have to use a broomstick with a fake horse’s head instead of an actual animal if they wish to do participate.