Russian athletics goes to CAS in bid to end international ban

The Russian athletics federation said on Thursday that it is appealing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against an ongoing ban by the governing body World Athletics in connection with the Ukraine war.

World Athletics banned the Russian federation back in 2015 in connection with doping practices but Russians could compete as neutral athletes after a vetting process.

A full ban, also on Belarus, was imposed after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and confirmed again last week.

World Athletics has been firm in its stance even though the International Olympic Committee allowed Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at the Paris 2024 Games.

This week, the IOC also provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and recommended to sports federation to ease their restrictions, too.

The Russian federation said it went to CAS because “World Athletics’ decision affects the fundamental interests of Russian athletics and restricts the rights of Russian athletes to compete on grounds it considers discriminatory.”

It said it would take all available legal measures to protect the interests of Russian athletes.