Russians Will Be Allowed to Compete at IAAF World Cross Country Championships as Authorized Neutral Athletes

By Adam Kopet

The Russian Athletics Federation remains suspended by the IAAF, but Russians will still be allowed to compete at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships next month as authorized neutral athletes, according to Liam Morgan of Inside the Games.

Russians who have already gained authorized neutral status will be eligible to compete. They will need to apply through a neutral athlete liaison person who has been designated by the IAAF.

Authorized neutral athlete participation in the March 30 event in Aarhus, Denmark, will be limited to three athletes per race. A scoring team requires four athletes.

Athlete support personnel accompanying the authorized neutral athletes must also be approved by the IAAF.

Thus far, 42 Russian athletes have been approved to compete as authorized neutral athletes in 2019. All 42 were approved in 2018 as well. Of those 42 athletes, many are strictly track and field athletes.

In total, 133 Russian athletes have applied to the suspended Russian Athletics Federation for consideration of neutral status and 98 of those applications have been forwarded to the IAAF.