Russia’s track and field organization has filed a new claim against World Athletics in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and says that the global governing body has imposed restrictions that “infringe” on its ability to operate normally.
The All-Russian Athletics Federation confirmed on Monday that its latest appeal submitted to the highest is court in sports is aimed at what it says are rooted in sanctions related to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that do not exist for any other nation’s athletes or officials.
World Athletics has maintained a strict and consistent stance on Russia and last month decided to uphold a widespread ban that has drastically limited the nation from international competition.
“The sanctions against Russian Athletics are unprecedented. No other sports federation faces such severe restrictions,” RusAF chief executive director Boris Yaryshevskiy said in a statement. “They not only hinder the federation’s normal operation but also hold back the development of athletics in Russia, particularly among young athletes.”
This is the second claim filed with the CAS in a month by RusAF against World Athletics with belief that a legal injunction is needed on behalf of its athletes.
“Of particular concern is the selective and politicized nature of the sanctions,” RusAF’s said in its latest statement. “A hardline stance towards Russia is declared only by the current head of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, a former Conservative member of the British Parliament. His decisions have caused significant damage not only to Russian athletics but to global athletics as a whole, undermining the principles of equality and objectivity in sports.”
Russia, with the assistance of Belarus, launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was quickly sanctioned by World Athletics. Several other governing bodies and league like the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, World Aquatics and UEFA would later impose bans.
But under the leadership of new president Kirsty Coventry, the IOC has relaxed its restricts and paved the way for Russia and Belarus to compete in its events with the 2028 Olympics set to open within the next two years.
However, World Athletics has kept its ban in place despite holding internal discussions on the matter in 2023, 2025, March 2026 and in July.
“We presented options for the Council to consider on this matter, however, the original decision remains on the sanctions that protect the integrity and fairness of our competitions, with no tangible movement towards peace negotiations having materialized,” Coe said in a statement last month.
In late July, RusAF blamed World Athletics for actions that led to stalled talks and choosing to “avoid a decision” and refusing to separate political issues from athletes who do not determine pubic policy or military action.
“Russian Athletics continues to engage in dialogue with international sports bodies and maintains working contacts within World Athletics itself,” RusAF continued in Monday’s statement. “The federation intends to continue defending the interests of Russian athletes and the country’s entire athletics community, in strict accordance with the norms of international sports law.”
