Was Russia rescued from Olympics ban by Putin's Poodle? Games chief under fire over Moscow's doping let-off

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Smiling and clinking their champagne glasses, they appear to be enjoying a friendly drink.

But the exact nature of the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, was under the spotlight last night after Russia escaped being banned from the Rio Olympics.

There was a widespread belief that Russia would not be allowed to compete after an official report exposed a vast state-sponsored doping programme in the country. But, after a meeting of its executive board yesterday, the IOC decided against a blanket ban.

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How close are they? Vladimir Putin and Thomas Bach toast glasses of champagne ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014

Instead, the 28 sporting federations that cover Olympic events will be left to make their own decisions on whether Russians will be allowed to compete.

They now have two weeks to rule before the Games begin on August 5. But track and field athletes do face a ban – a decision that was made last week – along with anyone in any other sport who has previously served a doping ban.

Last night Mr Bach, who has repeatedly been pictured enjoying a coffee with Mr Putin, was accused of 'passing the buck'. German newspaper Bild referred to Mr Bach as 'Putin's poodle' in its coverage.

It is known that when Mr Bach was elected in 2013, the first call he received was from the Russian president, whose country was then gearing up to host the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Mr Bach, who won an Olympic gold medal in fencing for West Germany in 1976, has been a regular visitor to Russia during his three years as head of the IOC.

But Russia's relationship with the Olympic movement has come under severe strain after a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency revealed the country operated a state-sponsored doping programme between 2011 and 2015.

Mr Bach, who has repeatedly been seen enjoying coffee with Putin, was accused of 'passing the buck'

The damning report concluded Russia's sports ministry 'directed, controlled and oversaw' manipulation of urine samples provided by its athletes to prevent detection of the banned substances they had taken.

Bach accepted the decision 'might not please everybody' but insisted clean Russian athletes should not be punished.

'An athlete should not suffer and should not be sanctioned for a system in which he was not implicated,' he said, adding: 'We have set the bar to the limit by establishing a number of very strict criteria which every Russian athlete will have to fulfil if he or she wants to participate in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

'I think in this way, we have balanced on the one hand, the desire and need for collective responsibility versus the right to individual justice of every individual athlete.'

The German newspaper Bild referred to Mr Bach, pictured in 2014,  as 'Putin's poodle' in its coverage

Critics last night accused the IOC of showing 'weak leadership' in refusing to ban Russia.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the sporting community with former Olympian and gold medallist James Cracknell accusing the IOC of 'bottl[ing] it'.

Rowing champion Mr Cracknell tweeted yesterday: 'Thomas Bach too close to Putin? Apparently his 1st call after being elected IOC President was from the Russian President #conspiracytheory.'

Two-time swimming gold medallist Sharron Davies said: 'Absolutely it's a cop-out by the IOC. I'm so disappointed.

'I really thought things had changed from back in the 80s and 90s, but it just looks as if we've learnt absolutely nothing.'

Mr Bach, who won an Olympic gold medal in fencing for West Germany in 1976, has been a regular visitor to Russia during his three years as head of the IOC

Miss Davies was awarded a gold medal in 2014 after it was revealed her East German rival in the 1980 Olympics, Petra Schneider, was taking steroids.

She tweeted: 'So disappointed in the IOC again, shows it's more about the money than the spot! Shame on them…

'Please do what is just and fair, protect those that only wish to compete on a level playing field.'

Four-time rowing gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent tweeted: 'No YOU decide. We don't want to'. What a cop-out.'

The United States Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart said last night: 'Many, including clean athletes and whistleblowers, have demonstrated courage and strength in confronting a culture of state-supported doping and corruption within Russia.

In a bitter twist, 800m runner Yuliya Stepanova, a Russian whistleblower who lifted the lid on the doping culture at the heart of sport in the country, has been banned from competing

'Disappointingly, however, in response to the most important moment for clean athletes and the integrity of the Olympic Games, the IOC has refused to take decisive leadership.

'The decision regarding Russian participation and the confusing mess left in its wake is a significant blow to the rights of clean athletes.'

In a bitter twist, 800m runner Yuliya Stepanova, a Russian whistleblower who lifted the lid on the doping culture at the heart of sport in the country, has been banned from competing. Stepanova, who has served a two-year doping ban, and her anti-doping expert husband, who both fled Russia and now live in the US, were the first two whistleblowers to inform WADA about Russia's cheating.

Yet under the guidelines set out by the IOC, which prevent any Russian who has previously served a doping ban from competing, Stepanova will be relegated to the stands at the games next month.

Last night it was unclear how many Russian athletes would be allowed to compete in Rio by their sporting bodies. But the International Tennis Federation said it expected all eight Russian competitors to enter the games.