All-Russia Athletic Federation Criticizes IAAF Decision on Russian Athletes

© AP Photo / Anja NiedringhausRussia's Yelena Isinbayeva
Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva - Sputnik International
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The criteria used in the decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to prohibit all Russian athletes, except long jump athlete Darya Klishina, from taking part in international competitions are unfair, the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) said Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) banned all Russian athletes, except long jump athlete Darya Klishina, and including pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, from taking part in international competitions, including the upcoming Rio Olympics.

"ARAF considers the IAAF-proposed criteria unfair and favors individual responsibility of each competitor in the event for the violations of anti-doping rules. The federation together with the athletes fully supports the claim made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on the decision of the IAAF Council, which was filed by the Russian Olympic Committee on July 2," ARAF said in a statement published on the organization's website.

Darya Klishina - Sputnik International
IAAF Bars All Russian Athletes Except Klishina From Rio Olympics - Coach
The IAAF Doping Review Board received a total of 136 applications from Russian athletes seeking to compete as neutral contenders. Earlier this month, the Review Board declared Russian runner and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) informant Yulia Stepanova eligible to compete in international competitions as a neutral athlete over making  "a truly exceptional contribution to promotion of clean athletes and fair play.”

The IAAF has banned Russian athletes from this August’s Olympics after allegations of widespread doping in Russian sport. On June 21, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, supported the IAAF's decision, but did not ban all Russian national team members from the participation in the 2016 Olympics, assuming that some Russian athletes will take part in the Games under the Russian flag. These athletes will be removed from disqualifications individually by the IAAF.

Russians turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) asking it to review the ban for those who did not test positive for doping. The lawsuit is expected to be considered on July 19.

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