Rio 2016: Eighty Russian athletes apply to IAAF for participating in Olympics

Moscow: The All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) helped 68 athletes file applications at the world athletics ruling body IAAF, ARAF president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said, adding that more athletes may have submitted requests on their own. On Friday, the IAAF issued a news release saying that as of 1 July it had received more than 80 applications from Russian athletes eager to participate in international competitions, including the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, reported Tass. [caption id=“attachment_2867788” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  IAAF World Athletics . Getty Images[/caption] “I’m somewhat curious about the figure – 80 applications from Russian athletes reportedly filed at the IAAF,” Shlyakhtin said. “We keep an eye on the situation. According to our sources 68 athletes have applied. Possibly, some have done that on their own, without coordination with the federation.” The IAAF council on 17 June left in effect its own decision to bar the ARAF from international competitions. This means that Russian athletes are unable to take part in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The sole exception will be made for those athletes who manage to prove that they are not involved in doping abuse. On 21 June the Olympic summit ruled that those Russian athletes who pass IAAF tests for non-involvement in anti-doping violations will be able to compete in Rio de Janeiro under the Russian flag. For that the athletes are expected to submit applications to the IAAF by 4 July. Each will be considered individually. Brazil will host the Olympic Games from 5 through 21 August.