Kolkata: The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has formally approved the applications of three Russians to compete in international events from 2017 as neutral athletes, the IAAF said in a statement. Six other Russian applications have been declined, while several others are still under review, the IAAF said.
“The Doping Review Board, which is composed of Robert Hersh (chair), Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski, has unanimously accepted the applications of the following athletes, Anzhelika Sidorova (Pole Vault), Kristina Sivkova (sprints), Aleksei Sokirskii (Hammer Throw),” the IAAF announced.
“Their participation as neutral athletes in international competition is still subject to acceptance by the individual athlete and the organiser of the competition in question, in accordance with the rules of that competition,” the IAAF added in a statement. The IAAF has received a total of 48 applications from Russian athletes, 28 of which have been endorsed by RusAF. Six applications have also been declined whilst the remaining applications, “many for competitions later in the year, are currently under review,” it added.
Russia’s Athletics Federation remains suspended from competing at international events, but five Russians will attend the Indoor Championship under a neutral flag. Many applications for future meets are under review.
Russia has been suspended from international athletics, including the 2016 Olympic Games, since September 2015 amid reports of state-sponsored doping over several years. Russian athletes though are permitted to compete in international tournaments, if they prove they are clean.
IAAF president Lord Coe said, “The application process to compete internationally as neutral athletes is about our desire to support the hopes and aspirations of all clean athletes including Russian athletes who have been failed by their national system.”
“While prioritising applications based upon the entry deadlines of the competitions concerned, the primary responsibility of the doping review board must always be to safeguard the integrity of competition,” he added.
The trio joins long jumper Darya Klishina and doping whistle-blower and former drugs cheat Yuliya Stepanova, who were previously declared eligible to compete.
(With inputs from AFP)