The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Doping Review Board has approved the applications of 16 Russian athletes to compete in international competitions as neutral athletes under Competition Rule 22.1A(b).
A statement on the federation’s website on Sunday showed that this stands as the Russian national federation (RusAF) remains suspended.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Doping Review Board is composed of Robert Hersh as chairman, with Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski as the other members.
The athletes include Viktor Butenko (discus), Timofey Chalyy (400m hurdles), Danil Danilov (hammer), Olga Eliseeva (race walks – European U20 Championships only), Alexey Fedorov (triple jump) and Irina Gemeniuk (triple jump).
Also on the list of the 16 athletes are Irina Gordeeva (high jump), Viacheslav Kolesnichenko (sprints), Alexsandr Lesnoi (shot put), Konstantin Lyadusov (shot put), Iuliia Maltseva (discus) and Alena Mamina (sprints).
The rest are Alexsandr Menkov (long jump), Viktoriia Prokopenko (triple jump), Ilya Shkurenev (decathlon) and Valentin Smirnov (middle distance)
The statement added that the Doping Review Board has extended neutral athlete status for three athletes who have been previously approved to be able to compete at the European U20 Championships.
These athletes are Aksana Gataullina (pole vault), Polina Miller (sprints) and Yana Smerdova (race walks).
The statement however noted that the participation of all these athletes as neutral athletes in international competitions was still subject to formalities for eligibility under IAAF Rules being completed.
Participation is also subject to acceptance of their entries by individual meeting organisers.
NAN reports that in total this year, 39 applications have been approved, of which nine are for the forthcoming IAAF World U-18 Championships.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe said it was important to reiterate that the review process was about ensuring there was a level-playing field in which the world’s clean athletes have confidence.
“I want to thank once again the members of the Doping Review Board for their continued dedication and diligence in assessing these applications to compete internationally as independent neutral athletes.
“It is a huge task and one which cannot be rushed if we are to ensure the rights and aspirations of clean athletes are protected.”
NAN also reports that since publication of updated guidelines under Rule 22.1A (b) earlier this year, the IAAF has received over 150 applications from Russian athletes.
More than 50 of these have been endorsed by their national federation, the RusAF.
A number of these applications remain under review by the Doping Review Board in accordance with the guidelines.
This is ongoing as stored samples continue to be re-analysed and the athletes referenced in the Independent Person’s report published last December continue to be assessed in consultation with experts.
“This being an ongoing process, the IAAF will only make announcements as and when decisions are made by the Doping Review Board concerning successful applications and those athletes have been duly informed,’’ the athletics sport governing body said.