In May 2018, Afanasyeva's status as an Authorized Neutral Athlete was suspended by the IAAF, along with that of four other Russian racewalkers, for participating in an April training camp that included coach Viktor Chegin, who has received a lifetime ban from the sport. This prevented her from competing in any international competitions, including the 2018 IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships in China that month which she had qualified for.