AMSTERDAM (AP) The European Championships were supposed to be about Dafne Schippers fine-tuning for the Olympics in front of her home crowd. Then, in stepped Yulia Stepanova.
The Russian whistleblower on her nation's doping scandal will be competing under a neutral flag on the opening day Wednesday during the heats for the 800 meters. European Athletics chief Svein Arne Hansen said Stepanova ''is a symbol to the clean athletes. She is really going out there to protect our sport for the clean athletes.''
Hansen said that at the last instance, more Russian athletes could be added to the program depending on whether the IAAF clears them.
The Dutch home crowd will be centering on Schippers, a favorite for sprint gold at the Olympics next month. She will compete in the 100 and relays.
