The IAAF's immediate reaction to this was that the committee along with the support of several renowned athletes like Women's marathon World record holder Paula Radcliffe and World and Olympic champion, Valerie Adams, has written a letter to WADA, asking them to rethink their decision for the integrity of clean athletes.

“The sporting community around the world has spoken and the message is consistent and clear: RUSDA cannot be declared compliant until all outstanding conditions set out in the Roadmap have been satisfied. We believe that any compromises to the Roadmap will tarnish WADA's reputation and bring the global sport into disrepute. We recognise that Russian sport has taken significant steps forward on the road to compliance. However, given the severity of Russia's egregious violations of the integrity of the sport, the conditions in the roadmap are appropriate, proportionate and more importantly, grounded on principles of transparency and integrity. The roadmap was created and approved by you. Our request is simple: follow the rules that you've created the same way we are expected to. You owe it to all clean athletes to be the guardians of clean sport,” the IAAF letter stated.

“They have an opportunity to right the ship, but athletes are frustrated. In the words of athletes out there, they want Russia back at any cost. And even at the cost of the credibility of the system and the weakening of WADA in the eyes of the world. That's a horrible position to be in if you're an athlete. Because it's tough enough to live by the anti-doping rules. You want to compete clean and you're willing to do it. But that's as long as you believe those that are enforcing the rules against others have your back. The moment you think they're willing to turn a blind eye -- whether it's a large country like Russia, or individual athletes -- that then puts a lot of pressure on you to similarly throw in the towel, and cheat,” he concluded.