RIO DE JANEIRO — IOC President Thomas Bach defended the decision not to ban Russia’s entire team from the Rio Games, declaring Sunday that the doping crisis won’t damage the Olympic body’s credibility and taking a swipe at global anti-doping officials for failing to act sooner against state-sponsored cheating in Russia.

Speaking at a news conference five days before the opening of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Bach said a total ban on Russia for systematic doping “would not be justifiable” on either moral or legal grounds.

“Every human being is entitled to certain rights of natural justice,” said Bach, who also denied suggestions he had bowed to pressure from the Russian government to reject calls by anti-doping authorities for a complete ban.

Bach was peppered with questions about the International Olympic Committee’s handling of the Russian scandal, including the decision to give international sports federations the authority to decide which Russian athletes should be cleared to compete in Rio.

More than 100 Russian athletes – including the track and field team – have been excluded, with more than 250 declared eligible by the federations.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Diana Taurasi scored 15 of her 20 points during a 5-minute span in the third quarter to help the U.S. beat Australia 104-89 in an exhibition game at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Elena Delle Donne added 19 points in the final tuneup for both teams before they head to Rio for the Olympics.

The U.S. and Australia are the top two teams in the world and are expected to face off for the gold medal. The Americans have won the last five Olympic gold medals while Australia has won either the silver or bronze at every one since 1996.

MEN’S SOCCER: Brazil’s hopes of winning its first Olympic gold medal took a hit when starting goalkeeper Fernando Prass was removed from the squad because of a right elbow injury.

The Brazilian soccer confederation said Prass will not play in the tournament after tests showed a fracture in the goalkeeper’s elbow.

Prass, 38, has never played for the national team but was one of Brazil’s three selected players older than age 23, along with star striker Neymar and midfielder Renato Augusto.

A LAPTOP and team shirts were stolen from Australia’s accommodations in the athletes’ village while the building was being evacuated Friday because of a small fire, the head of the team’s delegation said.

Delegation head Kitty Chiller called the situation “concerning” but added “unfortunately theft is going to be inevitable” in a compound with up to 18,000 athletes and staff.

Security is high on a list of many problems – including the Zika virus, water pollution and slow ticket sales – confronting South America’s first Olympics.

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