© Phil Noble / Reuters
"Both CAS panels unanimously found that the evidence put forward by the IOC in relation to this matter did not have the same weight in each individual case," the statement from the Lausanne-based international body said.
According to the ruling, in 28 cases filed by the Russian athletes the evidence was "insufficient" to establish that "an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) was committed by the athletes."
"With respect to these 28 athletes, the appeals are upheld, the sanctions annulled and their individual results achieved in Sochi 2014 are reinstated," it said.
CAS also partially upheld the appeals of other 11 Russian athletes as the evidence collected "was found to be sufficient to establish an individual ADRV."
The ruling said that these 11 athletes were declared "ineligible" for the upcoming PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, instead of a life ban from all Games.
Among those allowed to participate in the games are Sochi Olympic champion cross-country skiers Alexander Legkov and Maxim Vylegzhanin.
Speed-skater Olga Fatkulina, bobsledders Dmitry Trunenkov and Alexey Negodaylo, and skeleton racer Aleksandr Tretiakov - all of whom won gold or silver medals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics - were given permission to take part in the Games this year.
The CAS decision proves that Russian athletes who were accused of doping violations are indeed "clean," Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov told journalists. "We are all happy that justice has finally been served," he said.
Comment: The IOC's reaction to having their ruling overturned was "regrets" the successful appeal by the athletes. Of course they do, since they were just following orders in the Western cultural war against Russia. Meanwhile, the athletes who won their appeals are "overwhelmed".
Keep in mind that among the Russian athletes banned who have since been cleared is Russian gold medalist Alexander Legkov who was one of the most controversial banned athletes, as no scratches were found on his doping kits and no salt was discovered in his probes. Kriukov was not mentioned in the McLaren report and has never tested positive for banned drugs. Imagine the stress of being banned for doing nothing wrong. Elite athletes pour their heart and soul into training and competing, and then to be tarnished as a cheater unfairly must be incredibly distressing. The relief is certainly palpable.
This ruling has righted another wrong; the Sochi medal count has now been altered in light of the CAS ruling and Russia is back at first overall. The West tried to diminish Russia's athletic achievements, and like most of what they do against Russia, it failed.