The International Olympic Committee has announced they will be permitted to compete under the Russian flag.
But track and field's world governing body, the International Association of Athletic Federations, disagrees.
It has responded that Russian athletes will only be allowed to take part in an individual capacity as so-called "neutral athletes."
Six weeks out from the Rio Olympics, confusion reigns about how Russian track-and-field athletes can qualify, and whether they can compete under their country's flag.
The International Association of Athletic Federations extended a ban last week on all Russian track-and-field athletes for what it called a systematic and deeply rooted culture of doping.
It said only those based outside Russia and tested regularly could qualify and compete as what it termed "neutral athletes."
Following a summit in Switzerland, the International Olympic Committee has come out in support of the ban.
However, IOC chief Thomas Bach says any athletes found to be clean would compete under the Russian flag, not an Olympic, or neutral, one.
"If there are athletes qualified, then they will compete as members of the team of the Russian Olympic Committee, because only a national Olympic committee can enter athletes to the Olympic Games. There are no teams of international federations there."
In response, the IAAF has issued a statement reiterating Russian athletes, if they pass rigorous doping tests, would have to compete under a neutral flag.
"This decision has been unequivocally supported across sport, and the IOC summit today unanimously agreed to fully respect the IAAF decision. The IAAF will now work with the IOC to ensure the decision is respected and implemented in full."
The IOC says all competitors from both Russia and Kenya -- also with a recent history of doping -- must be screened individually before being allowed to participate in the Games.
The Russian sports ministry, critical of the IAAF ban, says its Olympians are ready to go beyond the normal anti-doping tests to show their commitment to clean and fair sport.
Kenyan officials have said they will cooperate fully with the IOC stipulation.
Russian Athletics Federation general secretary Mikhail Butov has welcomed the possibility of clean Russian athletes competing in Rio.
"We can come back to the status of the Russian Athletic Federation later, but, please, find compromise for clean athletes. We should be sure that clean athletes could compete at the Olympic Games, first of all, and at official competitions as well."
At a track-and-field competition in the Russian city of Cheboksary, Russian high-jumper Andrey Silnov, who won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, expressed relief.
"This is a small gulp of air that I believe should be used to the full. It's clear that we were a bit discriminated against, but, anyway, we should fight for every possibility that we have."
Russian long-jumper Daria Klishina says she is happy to hear athletes would be individually evaluated.
"When I came to warm up, I saw so many happy faces. The people's mood yesterday and today was absolutely different. I am happy for everyone, including myself. So it's a major positive sign for everyone."
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