Athletics-World Athletics approves 35 more Russians to compete as neutrals

World Athletics on Monday declared 35 Russian track and field athletes eligible to compete under a neutral flag ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, taking the total count to 62. Russia's athletics federation (RusAF) has been suspended since 2015 after a report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping among track and field athletes.

The World Athletics Council in March approved the reinstatement of the authorised neutral athlete (ANA) scheme for clean Russian athletes after their drug-testing records have been vetted. World Athletics has said there is no limit on the number of Russians who may compete as authorised neutral athletes in international competitions this year, apart from the Olympic Games and other championships.

The Council has decided that no more than 10 Russians will be allowed to compete as neutrals at the July 23-Aug. 8 Tokyo Games. "RusAF may choose which 10 athletes are able to compete from those who have been granted ANA status, but it must prioritise the selection of athletes who are in the International Registered Testing Pool," World Athletics said in a statement.

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