The International Association of Athletics Federations has banned Russian track and field athletes from competing in the Games after a widespread state-sponsored doping regime.

And with Lauren Wells' recent performances, the Canberran's chances of progressing to a 400-metre hurdles final will be greatly improved.

Russian Natalya Antyukh is the Olympic champion in this event, which the nation has a strong history in.

Wells made it through to the semi-finals at the world championships last year and is poised to run her personal best in the lead-up to the Games. And she said the ruling was an important indicator for the direction of clean competition.

"The IAAF have taken a pretty strong stance by banning Russia as a whole within athletics, which is a pretty unprecedented move within the athletics fraternity," she said.

"No matter what country it is I'm always happy for drug cheats to be stamped out," she said. "I think it's just the first step of many to cleaning up our sport."

Wells' coach Matt Beckenham said the trickle-down effect for clean athletes will be interesting, but said being awarded a medal at a later date is possible, and having the rare chance to run in an Olympic final is not.

"Jared [Tallent] getting that upgrade to the gold medal is fantastic and you then wonder how many there were, and the implications that would have and changes in terms of positions for Lauren and all the athletes."

Beckenham said the depth of talent in Wells' event, the 400m hurdles, created a lot of competition for places in finals, and the exclusion of potential drug cheats would have a significant impact on her success.

"She's in great shape and hopefully she ends up in a semi-final and maybe with one or two less of those people around that mark then she might make a final, and that's what we're hoping."

Veteran coach Nic Bideau said doping athletes have created uncertainty around sporting achievements and fans have every right to question the integrity and honesty of competitors.

He hopes the ban on Russian track and field athletes will be upheld by the International Olympic Committee.

"It's been shown they have little regard for the rules and they have caused a lot of damage to the sport and damage to peoples' lives who prepare early and properly for these finals," he said. "They shouldn't be included in the Olympics."

Wells' fellow Canberran track and field athlete, Melissa Breen, said she welcomed the ban placed on the Russian athletes.

"We strive to compete on a level playing field, and the decision made by IAAF greatly helped that cause."