A round-up of the latest news from the world of athletics

IAAF Taskforce concludes Russia visit

The IAAF Taskforce has concluded its second day of meetings in Moscow with their counterparts from the Interim Coordination Committee (ICC) of the Olympic Committee of Russia.

The meeting discussed the arrangements that are being put in place for the speedy resolution of pending doping cases, the thorough investigation of matters raised in the WADA Independent Commission’s report, the collection of ‘whereabouts information from and the rigorous testing of Russian track and field athletes pending WADA’s reinstatement of RUSADA, as well as education and other measures to embed a new culture of zero tolerance for doping in Russian athletics.

The IAAF Taskforce will only recommend reinstatement of Russian Athletics to IAAF membership if, and when, it is satisfied that the Reinstatement Conditions set out by the IAAF on December 11 have been met, and will continue to be met moving forward. ARAF elections take place this coming weekend (January 16). Within the next month, following these elections, members of the IAAF Taskforce will return to Moscow for their next meeting with the Interim Coordination Commission, informs the IAAF.

Filippidis set for season opener

The second meeting of the French pole vault series will be held on Saturday in Orleans. On the men’s side, entries include world indoor champion Konstadinos Filippidis from Greece for his season opener. Against him in Palais des Sports are set to be some top home jumpers in Valentin Lavillenie, Kevin Menaldo and Jerome Clavier. Also in the field is Slovenian record-holder Robert Renner and two Chinese athletes Huang Bokai and Yao Jie.

Filippidis won the event in 2013 and was second last year with 5.70m.

Swedish star Angelica Bengtsson will jump against French elite Marion Fiack, Marion Lotout and Vanessa Boslak. Fiack has won the last two editions.

The meet records are 5.80m by Piotr Lisek and 4.71m by Holly Bradshaw.

Cross Internacional de It lica

The XXXIV Cross Internacional de It lica will take place on Sunday and is set to feature Kenyan steeplechaser Conseslus Kipruto. Ethiopia s Tamirat Tola, who won in Alcobendas, will start as favourite. He will face his compatriot Yasin Haji, the world junior cross-country champion, who finished second at the Campaccio cross-country. Uganda will also have strong contenders in Moses Kibet and Timothy Toroitich, the winner in Soria.

The women s race will also be of a very high quality. Ethiopia will be represented by world cross-country medallist Netsanet Gudeta and Alemitu Heroye, who finished fourth at the world cross-country last year. Kenya will field super talent Faith Kipyegon and world 5000m fourth-placer Viola Kibiwot, while Ugandan hopes will rest with Juliet Chekwel, who placed 14th at the world cross-country in 2015. Spanish champion Trihas Gebre will lead the home nation.

Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has announced that runner applications will be accepted for the 2016 event from Tuesday March 8 by visiting chicagomarathon.com. Registration will be conducted through a system of guaranteed entry options as well as through a non-guaranteed entry draw.

The 39th annual race will take place on Sunday October 9 in Grant Park.

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