IAAF turns down 67 Russian applications to compete as individuals

In total, 136 Russians applied to an IAAF doping review board for “exceptional eligibility”, as the country’s athletics federation is banned from global competition.

On July 19, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, will consider applications filed by the Russian athletes asking for a permit to participate in the Olympic Games individually.

The IAAF Council ruled on June 17 that only those Russian athletes would be admitted to worldwide competitions, including the Rio Olympics, who would prove they were uninvolved in doping scandals.

Russian trolls attacked a Facebook post by Olympic athlete Daria Klishina on Monday, calling her “treasonous” and unpatriotic.

Russian sports officials have vowed to continue fighting a ban on their track team, expressing anger a day after they say scores of appeals filed by their athletes were rejected.

Gold medallist Darya Klishina of Russian Federation celebrates after competing in the European Athletics Indoor Championships, Gothenburg, Sweden, March 2, 2013.

“As soon as the formalities for Ms Klishina’s eligibility under IAAF rules are confirmed, the IAAF will be writing to notify worldwide events organisers of her eligibility”.

The IAAF left the door ajar to some Russian competitors not tainted by doping to compete as neutrals in Rio.

“I want to note that I didn’t begin training with a USA coach in the United States a month before that situation emerged”, Klishina refuted in a message posted on the ARAF website.

Klishina dismissed the criticism in a piece published by the All-Russia Athletic Federation, and said she hopes other Russians will be cleared.

But the coach of Russia’s most decorated active athlete, pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, branded Klishina’s decision to thank IAAF “humiliating” in an interview with Russian channel Match TV as the same organization banned other athletes from participating.

Indeed, Klishina has also received messages of encouragement, with Russian Senator Tatyana Lebedeva among her supporters, telling news site Life she could relate to the 25-year-old. CAS will make its decision by July 21, two weeks before the start of the Rio Games.

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko also called for the IAAF to be disbanded. The IAAF has asserted they would compete as neutral athletes. Together with athletes, RusAF support a lawsuit submitted to the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS) in Lausanne on the 2nd of July, 2016 by the Olympic Committee of Russian Federation in reply to the decision taken by the IAAF Council.