A list of 389 Russians who could potentially compete as neutrals in Pyeongchang has been finalised by the International Olympic Committee.
Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre, PyeongChang, South Korea. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Russia was banned from next month's Winter Olympics - and those who wish to take part must prove they are clean.
The IOC says it is "not possible to project" how many would be approved but Russia's Olympic Committee can "start proposing" athletes wanting to compete.
It also defended itself over claims whistleblowers are not being protected.
Today's IOC statement follows the joint publication of a letter - signed by UK Anti-Doping and 19 other national anti-doping bodies - that demanded the IOC "publicly call" for protection for whistleblowers.
The letter also claimed clean athletes had been "undermined" by the IOC's failure to confirm the criteria it would use to decide which Russians will be allowed to compete at the Games in South Korea.
A final decision on neutral Russian competitors will not be made until January 27th - 13 days before the Winter Olympics begin.
More than 80% of the 389 did not compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, an event found to have been corrupted by state-sponsored doping.
Further "pre-Games tests and reanalysis from stored samples" will be required before neutral athletes are approved.
-BBC
