Russia's high jumper Chicherova applies for neutral status

Olympic 2012 high jump champion Anna Chicherova has submitted an application to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for permission to compete under a neutral status, a spokesperson for Russias governing track and field athletics body said on Monday.

Chicherova, 36, has already served her previously imposed two-year suspension and at the Russian athletics championships, which closed in Kazan on Sunday, finished second clearing the height of 1 meter 90 centimetres, reports Tass news agency.

"We have sent today to the IAAF an application from Anna Chicherova requesting the right for her participation in international tournaments under the status of a neutral athlete," Natalia Yukhareva, a spokesperson for the All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), told Tass.

Due to the ARAF's currently suspended membership in the IAAF, the global athletics body made a decision in late 2016 to allow Russian athletes, who meet the IAAF's requirements, to compete in international sports events under the neutral status.

The next major international track and field tournament will be the 2018 European Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Berlin between August 7 and 12.

--IANS

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