Top Russian athletes reacted on Sunday (19th June) to the recent historic IAAF decision to uphold a ban of the track and field team from competing at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Russia's athletes are still coming to terms with the IAAF's decision to uphold a ban on the nation competing at the upcoming Rio Olympics.

The decision to uphold the ban was made this week leaving some of Russia's top athletes in limbo.

Many were training at the Olympic Stadium in Cheboksary on Sunday, in preparation for the Russian National Athletics Championships.

Hurdler and Olympic medallist Natalya Antyukh told SNTV how the news has affected her.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Natalya Antyukh, Olympic gold medallist 400m hurdles

"The mood has been spoiled. I don't know what to expect for myself. I was training for so long with hope and made an imaginary goal for myself. And even when you lose this imaginary goal, the motivation is lost. I am an experienced athlete and I was always giving myself a new goal and motivation. But what can I achieve now?"

Russia is expected to contest the ban, but for now the counties athletes must wait nervously as their fate is decided.