The IOC executive board met by teleconference on Tuesday to consider steps following the widespread doping allegations detailed in Monday's report by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.
WADA recommended that the IOC consider taking the unprecedented step of excluding the entire Russian team from the Rio Games. The IOC says it will "explore the legal options" for a possible total ban on the Russian team from the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The IOC says calls for a collective ban on the Russians will be judged "versus the right to individual justice."
The IOC says it will still have to take into account a verdict coming this Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court is due to rule on Russia's appeal against the IAAF decision to ban its track and field athletes from Rio.