Russian Athletics files new claim against sanctions
The Russian Athletics Federation has lodged a new claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) challenging sanctions imposed by World Athletics, arguing they infringe on the federation's rights and prevent it from properly representing Russian athletes internationally. Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been barred from World Athletics competition since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the move comes as other bodies show signs of softening their stance towards Russian participation, most notably the International Olympic Committee, which provisionally lifted Russia's suspension in July.
Russian Athletics chief executive Boris Yaryshevskiy described the sanctions as "unprecedented", saying no other federation faces such severe restrictions and that they hold back the development of the sport in Russia, particularly for young athletes. This latest filing follows a separate appeal lodged on 9 July against a World Athletics Council decision to extend the ban. Several other federations, including World Gymnastics, World Aquatics and World Boxing, have eased restrictions this year, and some Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
- Russian Athletics files new Cas claim against World Athletics sanctions
- Bans have applied since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine
- IOC eased Russia's suspension in July; other federations doing likewise
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocates for lifting sanctions argue that individual athletes should not bear the cost of their government's geopolitical decisions, pointing to decisions by the International Olympic Committee and other major sports bodies to allow Russian participation. They contend the restrictions are disproportionately severe compared to sanctions on other federations, demonstrably impede the sport's development and young athletes' futures, and that sport's fundamental purpose is to unite across political divides rather than entrench hostilities. From this view, prolonged exclusion is neither proportionate nor constructive.
The case against
Opponents argue that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was an unprovoked breach of international law, and that sports sanctions represent a legitimate form of collective international accountability. They maintain that allowing swift reintegration would effectively normalise the aggression and signal that violations of this magnitude carry minimal sporting consequences. This position emphasises that solidarity with Ukraine matters, that sporting bodies should not facilitate the machinery of aggressor states, and that maintaining consistent consequences upholds the principle that geopolitical violations must have real costs.