Maksim Afonin set a personal shot put record of 21.07 metres last year ©Getty Images

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have given permission to shot put athlete Maksim Afonin and triple jumper Anna Krylova to compete as neutrals.

In December 2016, the IAAF allowed Russian athletes who met specific anti-doping criteria to compete at events as neutrals, following the suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) in November 2015.

This came after the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Independent Commission uncovered widespread doping offences in Russian track and field.

Afonin, a two-time Russian indoor champion, and Krylova become the 20th and 21st athletes to be given Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) status since the turn of the year.

Anna Krylova has been given Authorised Neutral Athlete status by the IAAF ©Twitter
Anna Krylova has been given Authorised Neutral Athlete status by the IAAF ©Twitter

Eighteen athletes who were given ANA status in 2017 had the same status granted for 2018 on January 25, before decathlete Ilya Shkurenyov was granted permission to compete as an ANA at international competitions on February 2.

It was reported yesterday that racewalkers Sergey Sharypov and Yulia Turova had applied to compete as ANA athletes in 2018.

A total of 88 Russian athletes applied to compete under ANA status in December 2017 with 21 applications approved so far.

The IAAF, however, also say that another 21 applications have not been approved.