The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has paid off its debt to World Athletics for the third quarter of 2021, its acting President, Irina Privalova, has claimed.

Disruptions to the Russian banking system because of Western sanctions imposed in the wake of the Ukraine invasion have shifted the timetable for the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) repayment to World Athletics.

The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) must pay arrears to World Athletics by Friday (March 18) or work on its reinstatement to international competition will be suspended and all recent gains will be lost.

The number of Russians who will be able to compete internationally as Authorised Neutral Athletes (ANA) will double in 2022 to a maximum of 20, the World Athletics Council decided today.

The World Athletics Council, which will meet tomorrow and Wednesday, will hear of what further progress has been made by the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) in its quest to be restored to full international status.

The status of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remains "an issue of concern", according to Rune Andersen, chair of the Taskforce charged with overseeing the return of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) from the World Athletics suspension imposed in November 2015.

The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) remains suspended pending the completion of its reinstatement plan, the World Athletics Congress ruled today, as the RusAF acting President, Irina Privalova, told delegates there could be "no return to the past."

Irina Privalova, President of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF), will address the 53rd Congress for the sport’s world governing body which is due to start tomorrow. 

The restoration of the Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) scheme - which allows Russian competitors who meet anti-doping criteria to take part at international events but not under the national flag - will be one of the key areas of discussion at the World Athletics Council meeting that starts tomorrow.