Reinstatement of Russian athletics federation is priority: IAAF

Reinstatement of the Russian athletics federation in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is a priority, President Sebastian Coe said on Sunday.

"The reinstatement of the Russian athletics federation is a priority. The IAAF Taskforce met in Rio (16) during the Games and hopes to resume discussions with the Russian Olympic Committee's Interim Coordination Committee to establish a clean, safe environment for its athletes so that its federation and team can return to international competition," Coe said at a press conference.

The reinstatement process will continue after receiving the response of the IAAF Commission's report, Coe said.

He added that the IAAF intends to continue working with Russia's Interim Coordination Committee and it is important not to lose time.

Russian track and field athletes were banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics because of the disqualification of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (RAF).

Long-jumper Darya Klishina, who lives and trains abroad, was the only Russian athlete allowed to compete at Rio.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on July 21 unanimously dismissed an appeal by the Russian Olympic Committee and 68 Russian track-and-field athletes against IAAF, which had forbidden them from competing in Rio.

Coe also said the IAAF will return to reviewing potential involvement of Russian long jumper Darya Klishina in doping violations.

Thed CAS upheld Klishina's appeal on August 15 and allowed her to participate at Rio.

--IANS

sam/vt