Russia athletics gives competitors anti-doping pledge requirement for national indoors

In the wake of a widespread doping scandal in Russia, its athletics federation has mandated athletes sign an anti-doping declaration ahead of the nation's indoor championships.

Ekaterina Koneva of Russia jumps during the triple jump competition at the Russian Winter IAAF Indoor Athletic Championship in Moscow on Sunday. Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP / February 14, 2016

All Russian athletes must sign an anti-doping declaration to take part in this month’s national indoor athletics championships, the secretary general of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) Mikhail Butov said Tuesday.

“All the athletes who are going to compete at Russia’s indoor championships in February need to sign the declaration,” Butov told TASS state news agency.

“Without their signature on the document, they will not be allowed to compete.”

Read more: Osman Samiuddin's initial reaction in November to the doping report on Russia

The declaration has been recently drawn up by ARAF.

The federation stated that athletes competing for Russia internationally and the team’s support staff must all sign the document along with all the participants in the national championships.

Those who have signed the declaration pledge never to use, transport, store or distribute the substances listed in the banned medications record.

They have also to fulfil all the demands concerning dope testing at competitions and in the out-of-competition period and report to the ARAF any violations of the doping code by other athletes.

Russia’s indoor championships will take place in Moscow on February 23-25.

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