Russian Stepanova, the first to be able to compete as an independent and neutral

Russian ochocentista Yuliya Stepanova is the first athlete who can compete internationally as 'independent and neutral', under the rule 22.1A, following the decision of the Doping Review Board of the International Federation athletics (IAAF).

The Board Doping Review Board, which is composed by Robert Hersh (chairman), Sylvia Barlag and Antti Pihlakoski, has agreed to give free rein to Stepanova for having made an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of athletes, fair play and integrity and authenticity of the sport.

Stepanova can now participate in international competitions as an independent and neutral athlete, but must be accepted by the organizer of the competition concerned, in accordance with the rules of competition.

The IAAF immediately informed the organizers of the European Athletics Championship since this competition will be held imminently in Amsterdam from 6 to 10 July.

As of July 1, the IAAF has received more than eighty applications for Russian athletes wishing to benefit from this measure in order to compete in a personal capacity, under a separate rule 22.1A (b) provision.

In this sense they try to qualify Russian athletes who have been training away from Russia for a period of time long enough to provide substantial assurance of the integrity of their work.