Inspectors will decide if Russian track athletes can compete in 2016 Olympics

The international track federation has named a four-person team to evaluate reforms in Russia, where track athletes, coaches and officials have been accused of conducting a widespread doping program.

With all of its track and field athletes under suspension, Russia is hoping to make the necessary changes to earn reinstatement before the upcoming 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The IAAF inspection team will be headed by Rune Andersen, a Norwegian anti-doping expert, and will include former sprinter Frankie Fredericks of Namibia.

“I have devoted my life to clean sport and it’s on behalf of the innocent athletes who are Russia’s athletics future that we begin our task to ensure that fair and honest competition is guaranteed,” Andersen said on Tuesday.

Russia faces an uphill battle.

On Monday, an international group of anti-doping agencies called for the suspension to stay in place through next summer, stating that Russian track officials “have not demonstrated that they are capable of sending a clean team to the Games.”

“A strong deterrent message must be sent that national federations cannot participate in the highest levels of competition when anti-doping has been intentionally subverted,” the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations said.

A recent World Anti-Doping Agency report alleged the Russian track federation had orchestrated a program that encouraged and, in some cases, pressured its athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. But the leader of the WADA investigation expressed hope that immediate reforms could result in a timely reinstatement.

WADA officials will hold meetings in Colorado Springs, Colo., the home of the U.S. Olympic Committee, this week.