Russian Athletics challenges World Athletics ban at CAS

Russian Athletics said it has lodged a new claim at the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging sanctions imposed by World Athletics.

World Athletics announced in July that it was keeping in place a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes imposed in March 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian Athletics said the restrictions are “selective and politicised” and claimed they infringe on the federation's rights and prevent it from fully representing Russian athletes internationally.

The International Olympic Committee has announced that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. World Athletics' position contrasts with some other Olympic sports bodies, including World Gymnastics and the International Skating Union, which have eased restrictions on Russian competitors.

Boris Yaryshevskiy, chief executive director of Russian Athletics, said no other sports federation faced such severe restrictions and that Russian Athletics would continue seeking to have the sanctions lifted through the courts.

World Athletics said it would “strenuously” defend its position.