European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen has completed a two-day visit to Russia, where he met with Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov and Russian Athletics Federation President Dmitry Shlyakhtin in Moscow on Tuesday 26 April.
Accompanied by European Athletics CEO Christian Milz on the trip, President Hansen said he now has a better understanding of the situation after various meetings.
“I needed to get a sense myself of what is going on in Russia with doping and the steps they are taking towards eradicating the problem. So it was important that I personally visit Presidents Zhukov and Shlyakhtin to see what is happening on the ground and speak to some of the key people in the sport.
“I had very detailed discussions with both of them, and what I heard has given me a better understanding of the situation.
“I also spoke with various Athletics national team coaches to see what their thinking is of the problems the sport has faced in Russia.
“What is clear to me is that a lot of strong, useful work is going on between the NOC and the Athletics federation to improve things.
“We now need to wait to see what is reported to the IAAF Council on June 17 and the decision taken there.
“This will determine whether Russia will compete at the Amsterdam 2016 European Athletics Championships.”