Doping | IAAF says Klishina can compete as neutral athlete

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said yesterday that U.S.-based Russian long jumper Daria Klishina meets the “exceptional eligibility criteria” to take part in international competition as a neutral athlete, clearing the way for her to possibly compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
It said its doping review board “unanimously accepted the application of Daria Klishina who, subject to completing the formalities, is now eligible to compete in international competitions as an independent neutral athlete.”
It said Klishina’s participation was still subject to acceptance by the IOC.
In a post on Facebook, Klishina said she was “really happy” and “would like to thank IAAF for its expert decision.”
The IAAF has already approved an application from Russian athlete and doping whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, who competed at last week’s European championships.
Stepanova, an 800-meter runner who served a two-year doping ban, helped expose the widespread cheating in Russia that led the IAAF to ban the country’s track and field athletes from global competition, including the Olympics. Stepanova is living and training in the United States at an undisclosed location.
The IAAF has said more than 80 Russian athletes have applied to compete in Rio under “exceptional eligibility” provisions. The special eligibility measure is aimed largely at Russians who have been based abroad, and few athletes are likely to be considered.
A decision on all claims will be made by July 18. The Olympic track and field competition starts on August 12.
Russia was banned from all international competition by the IAAF in November after a WADA report alleged state-sponsored doping in the country.
The IAAF upheld the ban last month, saying Russia failed to meet reform conditions. But the IAAF also approved a measure allowing individuals to compete as “neutral athletes” if they can show they have been regularly tested by a reliable agency. Russia’s own anti-doping agency was almost entirely shut down last year after it faced cover-up claims.