IAAF approves 42 Russian athletes to compete as neutrals in 2019

The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) have confirmed a number of 42 Russian athletes are eligible to compete in international competition this year.

Despite Russia’s Athletics Federation still on suspension since November 2015 amid evidence of state-sponsored doping, the Athletics world governing body have said that the athletes, who were also afforded neutral status last year, had met their doping review board's "exceptional eligibility criteria" of training in an environment that passed the necessary anti-doping requirements.

The IAAF added “The Doping Review Board is prioritising, wherever possible, applications from athletes wishing to compete in the current indoor season.”