Russia working hard to restore IAAF membership

Moscow : The All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF) has been working hard to implement the criteria the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) set for its reinstatement, Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov said.

On Friday, the IAAF Council refused to reinstate the ARAF at its meeting in Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires. Rune Andersen, the head of the IAAF Taskforce, said earlier that in case the ARAF failed to implement the criteria set out in the Taskforce's roadmap, Russia's governing track and field athletics body could be completely expelled from the IAAF.

"Much has been done, many experts admit that. Even IAAF members have said so - a lot of work has been done. I hope that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) will be reinstated in the short term, and this decision may pave the way for the ARAF's reinstatement," Pozdnyakov told TASS news agency.

"I know the situation from the inside, and I know what the ARAF authorities have been doing. They have limited opportunities but everybody is working hard," the ROC president added.

"We have been holding regular meetings at various levels. Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov has been paying much attention to this issue as track and field athletics is important, there is a large number of events. Ensuring our athletes' participation in the Olympic Games is crucial."