Russia has launched a court appeal against World Athletics' decision to ban it from international competition, a sanction imposed after the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The appeal challenges a policy that has kept Russian athletes out of major meets for nearly three years.
World Athletics initially suspended Russia's membership shortly after the war began, barring its athletes from events including world championships and the Olympics. The ban extends to all athletes representing Russia, even those who might otherwise compete as neutrals.
The case now moves to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will weigh Russia's arguments against the governing body's stance. A ruling could take months, with implications for Russian participation in upcoming global competitions.
Russia has argued that the ban unfairly punishes individual athletes for government actions beyond their control. World Athletics has maintained that excluding the nation is a necessary stand against the invasion, aligning with sanctions from other sports bodies.
The appeal is unlikely to succeed given the precedents set by similar bans in other sports, where courts have generally upheld sanctions tied to the invasion. Even if the ban is eventually lifted, Russian athletes would still face other hurdles, including eligibility criteria and anti-doping compliance.