Russia Seeks Return to World Athletics

The Russian Athletics Federation has filed a lawsuit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, challenging sanctions imposed by World Athletics. The aim of the legal action is to restore Russian athletes’ participation in international competitions.

Russian and Belarusian track and field athletes have been excluded from World Athletics competitions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The federation argues that the restrictions violate its rights and prevent it from fully representing its athletes. It considers the restrictions discriminatory and says they affect the fundamental interests of athletics in Russia.

The filing follows the World Athletics Council’s 3 July decision to maintain the suspension. Russian Athletics lodged its challenge on 9 July, within the five-day deadline set by the World Athletics Constitution. International sports lawyers are representing the federation in the arbitration proceedings.

Unlike some other sports that allow Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, World Athletics continues to impose a complete ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes at its international competitions.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, the highest arbitration body in international sport, will now consider the Russian federation’s challenge to the restrictions imposed by the world governing body.

(Reuters, Max)