CHELYABINSK, Aug 25, Andrey Simonenko. Acting President of the Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) Irina Privalova said that the country has enough reserves to restore the level of Russian athletics. Since 2015, the ARAF has been deprived of full membership in the World Athletics Association (World Athletics), Russian athletes could only compete in international tournaments in a neutral status. Since March 2022, due to the events in Ukraine, the Russians have been suspended from international competitions. Several of the country's leading track and field athletes expressed their regret at the absence opportunities to perform abroad.» Take offense — do not be offended, nothing depends on the federation, we do not live in a vacuum, we know what is happening. And to say that athletics is losing popularity is wrong, in runs, for example, the number of participants is only growing «, and from the same Moscow State University I know how many guys want to go in for athletics. Yes, our level of results has slightly decreased due to the fact that many did not compete, lost their qualifications, the old coaches left, and there are problems with the young ones. But I think that we have a reserve, and over time we will restore everything,» Privalova told reporters. Also, according to the acting head of the ARAF, there is an opportunity to compensate for losses in the methodological component. «Starting from 2015, something has been missed, but now we are trying to rise, we are interacting with other sports. There are problems with the fact that we are cut off from the international arena, but there are other options,» Privalova concluded.
