Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Athletics
Josh Lawless
Two countries are banned from competing at the upcoming World Athletics Championships as per a decision which was reiterated back in March.
The end-of-season event takes place in Tokyo, Japan across nine days - starting with its opener on Saturday.
It is the first time Tokyo has played host to a major sporting event since it held a delayed 2020 Olympics in 2021 and stars like Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson of the USA, Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Sweden's pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis and Great Britain's 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson will all compete.
The worlds will also mark the senior debut for Australia's 17-year-old sprinting wonderkid Gout Gout, who has been tipped for greatness by the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt.
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However, both Russia and Belarus continue to be banned from competing in international competitions due to the invasion of Ukraine.
The stance was originally taken in March 2022 and came along with UEFA and FIFA suspending Russian national sides and domestic clubs from playing competitively.
Explaining the extension of the ban at a press conference in London, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: "The recommendation of the working group was to maintain the current sanctions with no need to amend them unless there is a significant deterioration in the situation or a peace agreement is reached."
The rule means athletes cannot represent the two Eastern European nations in Tokyo, where there are 147 available medals across 49 different events and £6.3 million in prize money up for grabs.
The only route for competitors from Russia or Belarus is through being recognised as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN),
At the 2024 Olympics, a total of 32 athletes in 10 sports competed as AIN and had to use a teal flag and an instrumental anthem created by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
Yauheni Tsikhantsou competed as a Individual Neutral Athlete at the 2024 Olympics. Image: Getty
There was no presence in the flag bearing for the opening and closing ceremonies, nor was there an official ranking in the medal tables despite one gold, three silver and bronze.
Those who compete in international competition must submit applications which are then reviewed by governing bodies.
To be eligible and potentially approved, they must not have any connections to the Russian or Belarusian military or have had any active support for the war in Ukraine.
As published by WorldAthletics.org, more than 2200 athletes from nearly 200 federations will compete at the National Stadium in Tokyo.