IAAF approves application of five Russians to compete international neutral athletes

The IAAF Doping Review Board has agreed that the applications of five Russian athletes have met the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as neutral athletes in 2019 under competition Rule 22.1A(b) while the Russian national federation (RusAF) remains suspended, National Daily gathered.

The application process for athletes seeking neutral status in international competitions in 2019 opened in December 2018. A total of 68 Russian athletes have so far been declared eligible to compete as Authorised Neutral Athletes in 2019. Fifteen applications have so far been rejected in 2019.

The Doping Review Board, which is composed of Robert Hersh (chair), Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski, has accepted the applications of the following athletes:

Elizaveta Kamenets (heptathlon)
Alexander Komarov (decathlon)
Rail Kutuev (long jump)
Liliia Mendaeva (1500/3000m) – European U20 Championships only
Aleksey Shevchuk (race walk)

National Daily learnt that the participation of all these athletes as neutral athletes in international competition is still subject to formalities for eligibility under IAAF Rules being completed and subject to acceptance of their entries by individual meeting organisers.

As this is 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 informed.