Russian Athletics Takes New Legal Challenge to CAS Over World Athletics Ban

The Russian Athletics Federation submitted a fresh petition to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to reverse the sanctions imposed by World Athletics that bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The body claims the measures infringe on its organisational rights and impede the development of athletics, especially among youth, in Russia. This filing follows a separate appeal lodged on 9 July challenging the World Athletics Council’s decision to extend the ban.

Although the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted Russia’s suspension in July, allowing potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, other sport federations such as World Gymnastics, World Aquatics and World Boxing have already eased their restrictions. Russian and Belarusian competitors have taken part as neutral athletes at the 2024 Paris Games and the recent Winter Olympics in Milan. Boris Yaryshevskiy, chief executive director of Russian Athletics, described the sanctions as unprecedented and vowed to pursue their removal through legal channels. The case will be heard by CAS in Lausanne, the highest arbitration body for sport disputes.