IAAF: 'Clean Russian athletes can apply to compete as neutrals'

A general view of the IOC Anti-Doping Laboratory based at the Richmond Olympic Oval on February 9, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada
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The IAAF says that Russian athletes can apply to compete at the Rio Olympics as a neutral if they can prove that they are not "tainted" by the doping allegations.

The IAAF has opened the door for clean Russian athletes to compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, despite upholding a ban on the country.

The International Association of Athletics Federations unanimously decided on Friday not to lift the ban, which was provisionally implemented in November.

The IAAF has claimed that Russia, who were punished over allegations of a state-sponsored doping programme, did not meet the criteria for readmission.

Despite the ban, it has been claimed by the world governing body that if there are individual athletes that can "clearly and convincingly" show that they are not "tainted by the Russian system", they can apply to compete as a neutral.

The track and field athletes applying to compete must have been subject to anti-doping measures in other countries.

A general view of the IOC Anti-Doping Laboratory based at the Richmond Olympic Oval on February 9, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada
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