A number of Russia’s top track and field athletes have sent a letter to the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee and the International Association of Athletics Federations, asking to be allowed to participate in international championships again
Two-time Russian pole vault champion Polina Knuruz announced the move via her Instagram account, noting that 17 prominent Russian athletes had signed the letter.
The athletes called on the international community to stop what they described as "discrimination" against them, and to allow them to compete on an equal footing with athletes from other countries.
The letter read: "For many years we have been denied the opportunity to realize our dream. We want to be part of global sport, break records and achieve results."
Last July, the International Association of Athletics Federations extended its decision to exclude Russian athletes from participating in international championships, while its president, Sebastian Coe, confirmed that the sanctions aim to protect the integrity and fairness of competitions.
In response to the decision, the Russian Athletics Federation filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), describing the sanctions as unfair.
In a notable development, Coe said yesterday that the issue of Russian athletes' participation "must be resolved," while emphasizing that the federation's position has not changed.
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