It could be
merely be a matter of the words used, or more importantly those not used, but
there is confusion over the status of Russian marathoner Liliya Shobukhova. While the reduction in her ban announced
yesterday by WADA is correct in saying she is “eligible” to compete now, she
has not met all of the conditions necessary before she can be fully cleared to compete, at least in any
event sanctioned by the IAAF.
The IAAF
rules require repayment of the ill gotten gains(prize and appearance money paid
to her during the time covered by her ban—2009 to 2012). She also has to have been drug tested
according to the rules set out for return to competition testing before she can
compete. Both conditions need to be met before Shobukhova
can race again in IAAF competition. Since
the IAAF controls who can or cannot compete in major international
competitions, such as the Olympics, that also means that Shobukhova cannot run
in the Olympics in Rio unless she completes the
necessary requirements.
