| Sport | Athletics |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Russia |
| Abbreviation | RAF |
| Founded | December 24, 1991 |
| Affiliation | World Athletics (suspended since 2015) |
| Regional affiliation | EAA |
| Headquarters | Moscow, Russia |
| Location | Luzhnetskaya nab. 8, 119992 Moscow |
| Chairman | Petr Fradkov |
| Secretary | Alexander Djordjadze |
| Official website | |
| rusathletics | |
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TheRussian Athletics Federation (RAF), previously named theAll-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF;Russian:Всероссийская федерация лёгкой атлетики, ВФЛА), is the governing body for thesport of athletics in Russia. Its Chairman isPetr Fradkov.[1]
World Athletics suspended the Russian Athletics Federation from World Athletics starting in 2015, for eight years, due todoping violations.[2] However, Russian athletes were eligible to compete asAuthorised Neutral Athletes (ANA).[2]
As of 2022[update], due to the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, World Athletics has banned all Russian athletes, support personnel, and officials from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, including those with ANA status.[2]
The RAF is the national member federation for Russia inWorld Athletics and theEuropean Athletic Association (EAA). Due todoping allegations, its participation in both organisations has been suspended since 2015.[3]
The RAF maintains theRussian records in athletics.
In December 2014, the German broadcasterARD made wide-ranging allegations of doping in Russian athletics and high-level cover-ups of this. Alleging state involvement in systematic cheating, the documentary accused Russia of an "East German-style" doping programme.[4] These resulted in then ARAF PresidentValentin Balakhnichev's resignation as Treasurer of theInternational Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).[5]
In response to this, theWorld Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commissioned an investigation, the report of which was published on 9 November 2015. The 323-page document, described as "damning" byThe Guardian,[6] reported widespread doping and large-scale cover ups by the authorities. It recommended that ARAF be declared non-compliant with respect to theWorld Anti-Doping Code, and recommended that theInternational Olympic Committee not accept any entries from ARAF until compliance was reached.[7][8] On 13 November, the IAAF council overwhelmingly voted 22–1 in favour of prohibiting Russia from world sports events with immediate effect.[9] Under other penalties against the ARAF, Russia has been also prohibited from hosting the 2016World Race Walking Team Championships (Cheboksary) and 2016World Junior Championships (Kazan), and ARAF must entrust doping cases toCourt of Arbitration for Sport.[9]
ARAF accepted the indefinite IAAF suspension and did not request a hearing.[10] ARAF's efforts towards regaining full IAAF membership will be monitored by a five-person IAAF team.[11]
On June 21, 2016, theInternational Olympic Committee affirmed the decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations, banning all of the All-Russia Athletic Federation athletes from competing in 2016 Olympics.[12][13]
In 2021, the Russian Athletic Federetion paid a fine of US$2,000,000 toWorld Athletics for infrenging the doping rules: this fine will be used to pay prize money to finalists of Oregon 2022 and Budapest 2023.[14]
As of 2022[update], due to the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, World Athletics has banned all Russian athletes, support personnel, and officials from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, including those with ANA status.[2]
Renamed Russian Athletics Federation.[when?][citation needed]
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