The IAAF Approves Three Russians to Compete Internationally Under Neutral Designation, Brings Total to Five

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

The IAAF announced Thursday that three Russian applications to compete internationally as neutral designated athletes have been approved.

Anzhelika Sidorova (pole vault), Kristina Sivkova (sprints) and Aleksei Sokirskii (hammer throw) are eligible to compete internationally. The individual athletes and the organizer of any competition they wish to enter must accept their neutral status.

Sidorova won the silver medal at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland. She has an overall best of 15-11 (4.85m).

Sivkova, who turns 20 on Tuesday, has never represented Russia at the senior level. She has run 7.20 for the 60-meter dash, 11.22 for the 100 and 23.80 for 200.

Sokirskii previously competed for Ukraine. He finished fourth at the 2012 Olympic Games in London for Ukraine. He has a best of 258-10 (78.91m).

All three athletes could compete in either the 34th European Athletics Indoor Championships or the 17th European Throwing Cup in March.

Thus far, the IAAF has received a total of 48 applications to compete with neutral designation. Of those, 28 have been endorsed by their national federation RusAF. The IAAF has also declined six applications.

These three athletes bring the total number of neutral designated athletes to five. Darya Klishina and Yuliya Stepanova have previously been granted neutral status.