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Arkhipova Withdraws From Tomorrow's Saitama International Marathon After Russian Suspension

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20151114/k10010305811000.html

translated by Brett Larner

In the wake of the IAAF's provisional suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) for systematic doping, a Russian athlete scheduled to compete in tomorrow's Saitama International Marathon has withdrawn from the race.

On Nov. 13 the IAAF voted to provisionally suspend the ARAF, barring Russian athletes from competing in international events.  London Olympics women's marathon bronze medalist Tatyana Arkhipova of Russia was already in Japan at the time to run in the Saitama International Marathon, taking part in the pre-race press conference on the 13th.

According to the JAAF, after receiving the judgment against the ARAF, on Nov. 14 they notified Arkhipova of the suspension of her eligibility to compete.  She subsequently withdrew.  Arkhipova is the first athlete to be barred from an international competition in Japan as a consequence of the ruling against the ARAF.

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