World Athletics continues to ignore IOC demands for the admission of Russians to tournaments

Even “neutral” status will not give Russian athletes the right to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

On February 6, the World Athletics Federation (World Athletics) reported on its website that the applications of six more Russians to participate in competitions as neutral athletes were approved. The decision was taken by the World Doping Testing Council in Athletics (DRB). Which at its meeting agreed that the applications of six Russian athletes meet the “exceptional eligibility criteria” for participation in international competitions as “neutral athletes” (ANA) in accordance with paragraph 3.2 of the “Eligibility Rules for Competitions”.

Here are the names of the six athletes who now meet the “exceptional eligibility criteria”:

– Nikita Anishchenkov (high jump)

– Artem Chermoshansky (long jump)

– Maxim Pyanzin (race walking)

– Nikita Kurbanov (high jump)

– Danil Chechela (long jump)

– Marina Kovaleva (long distance)

In addition to these six athletes, 73 more Russian athletes were assigned “neutral” status in 2022. Their full list is available on the World Athletics website in a February 6 newsletter.

Some Russian media immediately reported the “happy” news about the admission of our athletes to international competitions, albeit in a neutral status. However, World Athletics hastened to make a clarification on its website indicating that even such a status would not give Russian athletes the right to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and in World Diamond League competitions.

“In approving these six applications, the Doping Board noted that, in accordance with the World Athletics decision of March 1, 2022, all athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia have been suspended from participation in all World Athletics Series events and competitions for the foreseeable future due to the NWO.

In addition, the Diamond League subsequently decided not to allow Russian athletes to participate in their competitions. The Doping Control Commission understands that individual organizers of the Continental Tour have the right not to invite Russian athletes to their competitions.

In addition, in December 2022, World Athletics notified the Russian Athletics Federation that the 2022 ANA process will continue until the World Athletics Council decides otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the DRB has reviewed and approved the neutrality status of an additional six Russians in accordance with clause 3.2 of the Eligibility Rules, giving them the exclusive right to compete in international competitions until the World Athletics Council meeting in March 2023 as a “neutral” athlete, if, according to the decision of the organizers in each case, such competitions will be open to athletes. From Russia”. – stated on the website of the International Federation.

This means that Russian athletes will not be eligible to compete in the 2024 Olympics in any case, despite the International Olympic Committee saying it welcomes the Asian Olympic Council’s proposal for Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify for Olympic qualifications. at competitions in Asia, the Reuters news agency is convinced.