Athletics – Russians hope to return – Sport

The World Athletics Federation has approved the applications of six Russian track and field athletes to start as neutral athletes in international competitions. According to World Athletics (WA), the applications have been granted, despite the world governing body’s decision to ban athletes, coaches and officials from Russia from the World Athletics Series as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The approval is initially valid until the meeting of the WA Council in March. Then a decision will be made on lifting or continuing the suspension of the national association Rusaf, which has been in place since November 2016, because of systematic doping. At the same time, the right to start for Russians who are excluded from international competitions is to be discussed. The International Olympic Committee supports this return. The six Russians approved by World Athletics are Nikita Anishchenkov (high jump), Artyom Chermoshansky (long jump), Maxim Piyanzin (walking), Nikita Kurbanov (high jump), Danil Chechela (long jump) and Marina Kovaleva (long distance).