IAAF Extends Russia’s Ban from International Athletics and Updates Transfer of Allegiance Principles

In a recent development in the world of athletics, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has extended Russia’s ban from international competition due to widespread doping violations. The ban, which has been in place since November 2015, was extended after the IAAF found that Russia had not fully met the necessary conditions for reinstatement.

Despite some progress being made, the IAAF stated that Russia’s athletics federation and anti-doping agency still have key areas that need to be addressed. These include implementing a plan for adequate testing this year and resolving legal issues that prevent coaches from being provisionally banned.

While Russia remains non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the country has been reinstated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following their ban from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Russian athletes were allowed to compete as neutrals at the event.

In addition to the updates on Russia’s ban, the IAAF also announced a set of principles for athletes looking to transfer allegiance from one country to another. Transfers have been banned since February last year, but the new rules would allow athletes to switch nationalities under certain conditions.

Athletes would be required to wait a minimum of three years before transferring, undergo a review panel to assess the credibility of their application, and provide evidence that the new country is offering full citizenship rights. Athletes would only be allowed one transfer in their careers and could not change nationalities before the age of 20.

These changes will be voted on at the IAAF Council meeting in Buenos Aires in July, with the freeze on nationality transfers remaining in place until then. Stay tuned for more updates on these developments in the world of athletics.