IAAF clears 42 Russians to compete as neutrals in 2019

Athletics - World Athletics Championships – women's high jump final – London Stadium, London, Britain – August 12, 2017 – Neutral athlete Maria Lasitskene competes. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

(Reuters) - Former world champions Sergey Shubenkov and Maria Lasitskene were among 42 Russian athletes cleared to compete as neutrals in international competition this year, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said on Monday.

The governing body said the athletes, who were also afforded neutral status last year, had met their doping review board's "exceptional eligibility criteria" of training in an environment that passed the necessary anti-doping requirements.