Russian whislteblower to compete as neutral athlete

London, July 1 

Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova was cleared by track and field's world governing body on Friday to compete as a neutral athlete in the European Championships and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. 

While her participation in next week's European meet is assured, it remains uncertain whether the IOC will accept the decision for the Olympics. The IAAF said its doping review board accepted Stepanova's application to compete as an independent athlete under “exceptional eligibility” rules. The 800-meter runner provided evidence to the World Anti-Doping Agency of widespread cheating in Russia that led the IAAF to bar the country's track and field athletes from international competition, including the Rio Games. 

Stepanova, who served a two-year doping ban before turning whistleblower, is now living and training in the United States at an undisclosed location. The IAAF said Stepanova's petition to compete was granted because she had “made a truly exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of clean athletes, fair play and the integrity and authenticity of the sport.” — AP