MOSCOW, September 28. /TASS/. Russia’s pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, a holder of two Olympic titles, has declared the intention to contest the presidency of the All-Russia Athletic Federation.
"I’ve made a decision I should lead our athletic federation and restore its foothold in the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF)," Isinbayeva said on Wednesday.
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The ARAF presidium met in session on September 23 to call a review and election conference on December 9.
"Of course, I will need your support. We must act together. I am certain that joint efforts will restore justice and ensure sports should be outside politics. I have my own plan for restoring our federation’s membership of the IAAF. It will be a no easy task," Isinbayeva said.
Only candidates nominated by regional federations can contest the position of ARAF president. The Volgograd Region’s track and field athletics federation is yet to decide whether to nominate Isinbayeva.
The current ARAF leader, Dmitry Shlyakhtin, has not made up his mind yet if he wants to stay in office.