Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of support to his country's delegation here in Taipei.

"The Universiade is always a much-anticipated event," he said, according to TASS.

"It is a celebration of sports and youth based on the principles of fair competition, respect for each other and the national traditions, as well as on creativity and the openness to new experiences.

"It is a noble and ambitious task of representing Russia at the Taipei Universiade and proving that student sports in our country is at its zenith, involving many talented young athletes capable of achieving epic victories and setting new records."

Earlier this month FISU was still awaiting entries from Russian track and field competitors as they look to confirm them as independent athletes.

The Russian Athletics Federation have been suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations since November 2015 following allegations of state-supported doping. 

Sergey Seiranov, President of the Russian Students Sport Union, claimed Russia will not be competing in athletics at Taipei 2017.

He claimed that no agreement was reached over Russian athletes competing here but we are looking into whether any progress has been made.

Russia finished top of the medals table in athletics at the last Universiade in Gwangju in 2015.

They won a total of 29 medals, including 12 gold - three times more than nearest rival Japan.