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80 Russian athletes petitioning for eligibility to Brazil Games

CCTV.com

07-03-2016 10:58 BJT

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

To athletics, and the sports governing body - the IAAF - says it has received more than 80 applications from Russian athletes seeking eligibility to compete in the Rio Olympic Games.

Competitors from the country have been banned from international events since January, following a series of revelations of systematic doping in Russia. Yulia Stepanova, was one of the whistleblowers, bringing the doping scandal to light. And her pro-active actions have helped her become first athlete to be cleared to compete. Julia Lyubova has details from Moscow. 

Yulia Stepanova became the first Russian athlete to be given the green light by the IAAF to compete internationally as an independent neutral competitor. The former drug cheat’s revelations helped expose the massive doping problem in Russia. She is now cleared to compete in Amsterdam next week.

The IAAF is reviewing the rest of the applications for eligibility from dozens of athletes. Earlier this week, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said 67 Russian athletes have filed legal suits to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, saying they should not be punished along with drugs cheats. This includes 2-time Golden medalist, Elena Isinbayeva.

"We have to fight for our right to take part in the Olympic Games in Rio, to file appeals. I will have a right to compete in case my appeal is satisfied in the Court of Arbitration for Sport," said Yelena Isinbayeva, two-time Olympic Champion/pole vault.

The IAAF says track and field athletes who have fulfilled exceptional criteria, including repeated drugs testing outside of Russia, can take part in the Rio Games under a neutral flag. However, the International Olympic Committee insists any Russian athlete cleared to compete in the Games would do so under the country's flag.

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