IAAF upholds ban against Russia into 2019


Russian athletes will remain banned from international athletics competitions after the IAAF today upheld the country's suspension into 2019.

The IAAF banned the Russian Athletic Federation (RusAF) in November 2015 following revelations of state-sponsored doping in an independent report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The ban will remain in place until samples and data from Moscow's former anti-doping laboratory are made available.

It is the ninth time the IAAF has turned down Russia's appeal for reinstatement and the ruling means Russian athletes will not be able to compete under their own flag at the European Indoor Championships in February. More than 70 Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the European Championships in Berlin in August.

The IAAF's decision comes despite the International Olympic Committee and WADA having revoked their own suspensions of Russia.

Travis Tygart, head of the US Anti-Doping Agency, commented,  "The IAAF's decision to keep Russia suspended is a refreshing reminder that anti-doping decision-making should always be built on principles.”

You may also like

View All

World Aquatics becomes first international federation to expel athletes involved in Enhanced Games

World Aquatics has announced that it will expel athletes involved in the 2026 Enhanced Games which promotes performance-enhancing drugs that are prohibited by global anti-doping regulations

Read More

World Boxing to introduce compulsory sex testing from July

World Boxing has announced that it will implement compulsory sex testing for all boxers starting from July 2025

Read More

Judge soon to determine solo verdict in Canadian hockey sexual assault case after expelling jury

Judge, Justice Maria Carroccia, expelled the jury involved in a Canadian hockey sexual assault case due to a complaint about the defence attorneys’ behaviour, and will soon determine the verdict alone

Read More

Newsletter Signup

Please enter your email address below: