Russia plans to send their 19 athletes to the World Athletics Championship in London next week despite being suspended from all international competitions in the aftermath of a widespread doping scandal.
The 19 athletes, plus three former world champions have obtained exemptions despite the suspension of Russia following a review anti-doping control history by IAAF.
Russian Athletic Federation Director, Elena Orlova, told local news agency that besides the 19 athletes, she demanded for the 800 metres specialist, Yulia Stepanova, but the federation was not in contact with it and believes it does not intend to compete.
Maria Lasitskene is the great favourite to retain her title in the high jump, after remaining unbeaten this season in the Diamond League. No other woman athlete has been more than two metres this year, but Lasitskene has done it in eleven different competitions.
On the other hand, Sergei Shubenkoxv leads the charge with Russian athletes as he tries to win a second world title in the 110 metres hurdles.
Since they are officially neutral athletes according to the rules of the IAAF, the Russians will not be allowed to wear their national colours and Russian anthem will not be played if the win gold in the game.
In total, 38 Russians have received exemptions that could have allowed them to participate in the championships, but many have not achieved the qualification standard.
Maria Lasitskene is the great favourite to retain her title in the high jump. (Source:www.athleticsblognook.com)
Before the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Moscow called on the IAAF to lift the ban on Russian athletes from participating in international competitions against a backdrop of doping scandal a few hours before the decision of the court on their presence at the games.
“Russia is doing their utmost to ensure that their athletes are taking part in fair and clean Olympic Games. In light of our efforts, I ask you to consider your position on the suspension of our athletes.” Russian Sport Minister Vitali Moutko said.
“We believe that clean athletes should not be punished for the actions of others. Russia has done everything and asked the IAAF commission to be readmitted in the competitions,” he added.
