Double world high jump champion Maria Lasitskene has called for a change at the Russian Athletics Federation after its suspension was extended for an 11th time by the IAAF ©Getty Images

Russia's leading athlete Maria Lasitskene has called for a change at the top of the sport in the country following a decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) yesterday to continue its ban. 

The high jumper, the double world champion, faces the prospect of having to continue to compete as an Authorised Neutral Athlete after a suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) first imposed in November 2015 was extended for an 11th time. 

Lasitskene has won every major title since 2015 - except for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where Russian athletes were banned. 

"I hope that the people involved in this never-ending disgrace still have the courage to leave," the 26-year-old wrote on her Instagram account.

"By themselves. 

"And don’t think I’m only talking about the management, 

"It’s also about the current coaches who are still sure that you can’t win without doping. 

"They’re long overdue for retirement. 

"A new generation of our athletes must grow up with a different philosophy, and for any athlete, it’s the coach who provides that."

Russian Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Yuri Ganus last month called for top officials at the RusAF to be replaced to help affect meaningful change.

Ganus was today part of a meeting with Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov and RusAF President Dmitry Shlyakhtin about the situation.

Kolobkov has warned Shlyakhtin that unless he can gain the trust of athletes like Lasitskene he should step away. 






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За последние три с половиной года я раз двести слышала, что всё сделано и нас вот-вот восстановят. Но это лишь красивая обертка, которую нам пытаются навязать. Всем этим людям кажется, что спортсмены ничего не видят, не понимают и вообще их дело прыгать и молчать. Они забыли, что без атлетов, существование любой спортивной организации или федерации, не имеет смысла. Они просто отмахиваются от нас, прикрывая друг друга. Мы можем сколько угодно заниматься самообманом, рассказывая о том, как наших легкоатлетов боится Запад, о миллионах пунктах «дорожной карты», которые были выполнены на бумаге. Но то, что мы сделали собственными руками с нашей легкой атлетикой за эти несколько лет, ни одна бумага не вытерпит. Надеюсь, у людей, причастных к этому нескончаемому позору, все-таки хватит мужества уйти. Самим. И не думайте, что я говорю только о руководстве, речь и о действующих тренерах, которые все еще уверены, что без допинга невозможно побеждать. Им давно пора на покой. Новое поколение наших легкоатлетов должно вырасти с иной философией, а её любому спортсмену закладывает именно тренер. Разговоры о том, что на допинге сидит весь мир, неуместны. Не надо спасать весь мир, необходимо спасти то, что осталось от российской легкой атлетики. @minsport_rf @rusaf_official @rusada_russia

A post shared by Мария Ласицкене (@lasitskene.maria) on

"I think that for the Federation it’s a bad signal, a bad sign," he told Russia's official state news agency TASS. 

"They don’t have that direct connection with the young guys, the young athletes, and it’s unpleasant information for the Federation. 

"Of course, Dmitry Shlyakhtin should meet with them and say what kind of work is being done...and build complete support from our clean athletes, the guys representing our country."

The IAAF decided to extend the ban on Russia following claims that the RusAF had been involved in forged paperwork being submitted to help Russian world indoor champion Danil Lysenko avoid a doping ban last year.

There have also been recent reports that banned coaches and medical staff remain active in the sport. 

But Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov claimed today the situation in the country is improving.

"Undeniably, there are still many issues in the Russian athletics, there are cases of anti-doping rules violations," he told TASS. 

"But, firstly, they are isolated incidents and definitely cannot be characterised as systematic. 

"Secondly, they are becoming rarer, while measures against those involved in these cases are becoming stricter. 

"Achieving everything at once is impossible, but we are addressing the issues step by step, according to the plan."