World Athletics responds to Russia’s ban from sporting events for doping

World Athletics responds to Russia’s ban from sporting events for doping
Russia ban

On Thursday, Russia‘s ban from all major sporting events after the Russian doping scandal, was cut by two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ban would still prevent Russia from competing in the Tokyo Olympics, Beijing Winter Games and 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. World Athletics has responded to the Russia ban on Friday.

Initially, Russia was handed a four-year ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The reduced ban on the country by CAS will now run up till 16 December 2022. CAS has also clarified that the reduction should not be seen “as any validation” of Russia’s conduct.

“World Athletics is pleased that CAS’s decision was guided by the international standard which World Athletics helped to set following the stand the sport took in 2016,” World Athletics said in an official press release.

World Athletics to decide in March on allowing Russian athletes to compete

World Athletics

World Athletics on Friday, responded to halved ban on Russia. The body will decide on allowing Russian track and field athletes to compete again as Authorized Neutral Athletes (ANA) at it’s next meeting in March 2021. The body had previously said that up to 10 athletes will be allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games under a neutral flag.

“For the sake of clarity, the decision by CAS today does not change the process that World Athletics has been going through with RusAF over the last five years,” the press release stated.

“The World Athletics Council will consider whether to allow Russian athletes to compete again as Authorised Neutral Athletes in international competitions (including allowing up to 10 ANAs to participate in World Athletics Series events and the Tokyo Olympic Games) at its next meeting, in March 2021, or earlier if the Taskforce so recommends, based on the progress made by RusAF,” the release said.

Also Read: Russia set to miss next two Olympic Games due to doping ban