IAAF allows three Russians to compete as neutral athletes

Three female Russian athletes have been allowed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to compete internationally as neutrals.

The IAAF Doping Review Board on Wednesday agreed the applications of Kseniya Aksyonova (400m), Vera Rebrik (javelin) and Vera Rudakova (400m hurdles) met the exceptional eligibility criteria to compete in international competition as neutral athletes under competition Rule 22.1A(b) while the Russian national federation (RusAF) remains suspended.

"Their participation as neutral athletes in international competition is still subject to formalities for eligibility under IAAF Rules being completed and subject to acceptance of their entries by individual meeting organisers," the IAAF said in a statement.

A total of 58 cases were reviewed by the IAAF. As well as the three applications accepted, 28 were declined and a further 27 remain under review.

The 27 includes nine athletes seeking neutral athlete status to compete at the World U18 Championships in Nairobi in July.

They will be subject to further testing by the IAAF and/or UKAD between now and Nairobi to determine their eligibility for the championships.

In total this year 13 applications have been approved and 45 have been declined.

IAAF president Sebastian Coe commented: "I'm grateful to the members of the Doping Review Board for the dedication and diligence they are giving to this on-going review process."

"The importance of this huge task should not be underestimated. There can be no time constraints or deadlines when the protection of clean athletes everywhere is at stake," he added.