Russia appeals World Athletics sanctions to sports court

Russia's track and field federation filed a new claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday to challenge sanctions imposed by World Athletics that have excluded Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition since March 2022. The sanctions were introduced following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and were reaffirmed at a World Athletics council meeting in July. The federation argues the restrictions "infringe on the organisation's rights" and prevent it from fully representing Russian athletes at the international level.

Federation chief executive Boris Yaryshevskiy stated that "The sanctions against Russian Athletics are unprecedented. No other sports federation faces such severe restrictions," adding that the measures hinder normal operations and impede the development of athletics in Russia, particularly among young athletes. The appeal comes after the International Olympic Committee eased some restrictions on Russia last month ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a move the Kremlin described as an "important step" and which the IOC recommended other sports bodies follow.

Russia has not competed under its own flag at world athletics championships since 2015, when its federation was suspended over widespread doping violations. A neutral flag program that allowed Russian athletes to compete was terminated in 2022 following the invasion. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, no Russian athletes competed in track and field events because the qualification system is overseen by World Athletics, though the IOC permitted neutral athletes in other sports.