“I do not comment on the letter to the president,” RIA Novosti quoted Matytsina as saying.
At the same time, he noted that the Ministry protects the interests of pure athletes and is doing everything to ensure that the International Athletics Association (World Athletics) does not violate their right to participate in competitions even in neutral status. He also believes that sanctions in the VFLA should not affect the assignment of neutral status to athletes.
“Neutral athletes, in accordance with the regulations of the World Athletics, have the right to individually submit applications, and World Athletics, I believe, must comply with the charter and allow our neutral athletes to participate in international competitions,” Matytsin added.
Russian athletes have been forced to compete under the neutral flag since December 2016 due to the suspension of VFLA membership in World Athletics. Due to the case of Daniil Lysenko, the issuance of neutral statuses was suspended, the number of which was also limited. Now, World Athletics rejected the VFLA’s request to defer the payment of a fine of $ 5 million for anti-doping rule violation. The deadline for payment is July 1. World Athletics intends to issue neutral status to Russian athletes only after paying a fine.
Earlier it was reported that VFLA will not yet comment on the letter of athletes to Putin.