MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said Friday there was no reason why it should clear Russian pole vaulting star Yelena Isinbayeva to compete in Rio Olympics.
Isinbayeva, a two-time Olympic champion, said Thursday she had sent a letter to the world’s athletics governing body asking IAAF to overturn its decision, after it banned all but one of Russian athletes from competing amid a doping scandal.
IAAF confirmed having received the letter, in a press statement to R-Sport news agency on Friday, but said its 27-member IAAF Council ruled there was no ground to reverse the previous decision.
Isinbayeva announced late Thursday that the IAAF had refused to "make an exception" for her. It did allow Russian long jumper Daria Klishina, who trains in the United States, to go to Rio for the Olympics, which begin on August 5.
