Russian athletes banned from athletics world championships — RT Sport News

Russian athletes have been banned from competing at the upcoming world athletics championships in Oregon, despite World Athletics approving the applications of 18 Russian sports stars to compete under a neutral flag.

World Athletics has announced that the Russians will not be able to take part in the event which runs from July 15-24 due to what they say is a « consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine » – and added that newly approved neutral athletes will also be banned from the event.

The decision is in line with a previous statement by World Athletics that athletes from Russia and Belarus would be suspended from events indefinitely due to the Russian-led military operation in Ukraine which began in late February.

The ban, which was announced by World Athletics on March 1, barred athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade that month.

Previously, Russian athletes were allowed to compete as Authorized Neutral Athletes (ANA) while the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) served a suspension amid allegations of doping rings operating in the country. This was first introduced in 2015.

So far, 73 Russian athletes have been confirmed as authorized neutral athletes this year, with World Athletics announcing 18 more this week.

Among the latest additions are pole vaulters Dmitrii Kachanov and Viktor Pintusov, with the full list published on the official World Athletics website.

« In approving these 18 applications, the Anti-Doping Review Board noted that, pursuant to World Athletics’ decision dated March 1, 2022, all athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia have been barred from all World Athletics events. the World Series in Athletics for the foreseeable future due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine“, World Athletics said in a statement.

“Furthermore, the Wanda Diamond League subsequently made the decision to exclude Russian athletes from competition at its meetings.

“Furthermore, the Anti-Doping Review Board understands that individual continental circuit organizers do not invite Russian athletes to their meetings.

“ANA athletes remain eligible to participate in other international competitions as long as these competitions are open to Russian athletes..”

Russia have faced a wide range of sporting sanctions from various federations in recent months, including the removal of their hosting rights for the 2022 Champions League final as well as the effective banning of the team Russian national to participate in this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Wimbledon tennis chiefs have also refused to allow players from Russia or Belarus to compete in this year’s Grand Slam event in London.