RIO DE JANEIRO (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Isinbayeva, along with three other sportsmen, was elected by other athletes to the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
"It is symbolic that she was chosen after she was not allowed to participate in the Olympics. The fact of her election is a response of all the athletes to injustice. It is Yelena Isinbayeva's victory," Zhukov said.
He added that the fact that the athletes supported the Russian pole vaulter was very important.
In 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Independent Commission issued a report accusing Russia of numerous breaches of global anti-doping regulations, which led to Russia’s suspension from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
In July, IAAF banned all Russian track and field athletes, including Isinbayeva, from taking part in international competitions including the Rio Olympics, making an exception for long jumper Darya Klishina.
