Arkhipova Withdraws From Saitama International Marathon After Russian Suspension – Russian Athlete Running Saitama International Marathon Perplexed at Press Conference – -translated by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

Arkhipova Withdraws From Tomorrow's Saitama International Marathon After Russian Suspension

On Nov. 13 the IAAF voted to provisionally suspend the ARAF, barring Russian athletes from competing in international events.  London Olympics women's marathon bronze medalist Tatyana Arkhipova of Russia was already in Japan at the time to run in the Saitama International Marathon, taking part in the pre-race press conference on the 13th.

According to the JAAF, after receiving the judgment against the ARAF, on Nov. 14 they notified Arkhipova of the suspension of her eligibility to compete.  She subsequently withdrew.  Arkhipova is the first athlete to be barred from an international competition in Japan as a consequence of the ruling against the ARAF.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20151114/k10010305811000.html

Russian Athlete Running Saitama International Marathon Perplexed at Press Conference

https://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20151113/ath15111318260007-n1.html
 
On Nov. 13 London Olympics women's marathon bronze medalist Tatyana Arkhipova of Russia appeared at the pre-race press conference for the Nov. 15 Saitama International Marathon.  Questioned afterward about revelations concerning systematic doping in her home country she appeared perplexed, answering, "I know that it has become a problem, but I don't know what I am supposed to say about it."

Arkhipova arrived on Nov. 12 before taking part in today's international elite athlete press conference.  Organizers requested that questions be limited to the race itself and stopped the press conference before any questions regarding the doping issue were asked.