“If doping is closed, then it’s a big step forward.” Zhurova on reinstating ARAF’s membership in World Athletics

Olympic champion in speed skating and deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Svetlana Zhurova told that the reinstatement of All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) membership in the World Athletics Association (World Athletics) is a big step forward.

The World Athletics Council on Thursday restored the status of the VFLA after 7.5 years, but extended the suspension of Russian athletes due to the situation in Ukraine. International Federation President Sebastian Coe also said that in the coming weeks a task force would be set up to return Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions.

– In any case, it’s a plus, the story of doping is over. If doping is closed, then it’s a big step forward. What is happening with Russian sport is happening in all federations. Athletics will certainly be no exception, maybe it will be the last international federation to coordinate performances for us,” Zhurova told .

ARAF’s membership of World Athletics was suspended in November 2015 amid a large-scale doping scandal, Russian athletes were only allowed to compete after being granted neutral status.