Pole Vaulter Isinbayeva Defends Clean Russian Athletes Before Rio Olympics

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian world and Olympic pole vault medalist Yelena Isinbayeva penned an open letter addressed to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) defending her and her fellow athletes' right to participate in the Olympic Games in Rio amid doping allegations against Russia.

"In less than two months, I hope to be competing in the pole vault at the Olympic Games in Rio. But this dream may not be fulfilled… On Friday, the IAAF will be voting on whether to lift that suspension… I understand that the IAAF needs to take strong action to eradicate doping… I have never failed a doping test… So if some Russian athletes have failed doping tests, why must Russia’s clean athletes face a ban?" Isinbayeva wrote in The New York Times.

In December 2014, German ARD channel released a film titled "The Doping Secret: How Russia Creates Champions" on alleged doping abuse and corruption in Russian sports. The film was followed up by documentaries with further allegations.

Following the release of the film, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched an investigation into the allegations of doping abuse in Russian sports. In November 2015, WADA's Independent Commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous breaches of global anti-doping regulations. The IAAF temporarily suspended the Russian Athletic Federation's membership as a result.

The IAAF will decide on Russian athletes' participation in the games on June 17.