With the countdown for the Rio Olympics entering its final stage, Russian athletes and their coaches are still in limbo as the country’s athletics federation remains suspended from international competition by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Russia was banned in November last year after a report by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission found evidence of state-sponsored doping. The IAAF council will meet in Vienna on June 17 and Russia is hoping to be reinstated.
Hundreds of Russian athletes believe they still have a chance to go to Rio.
After the ban, Russian athletes could not compete anywhere but at home which has made training harder for many.
Missing the August 5-21 Rio games would be a severe blow to Russia, which since Soviet times has drawn pride and prestige from excelling at the Olympics.
Moscow says it has done everything possible to clean up its act.