World Athletics President Vows to Defend Russia Sanctions in Court

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has pledged to appear in court to defend the sanctions his organization has imposed on Russia, following a fresh appeal filed by the Russian Athletics Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics, announced in July that it would maintain its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, a measure first imposed in March 2022 after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine.

The Russian Athletics Federation has described the sanctions as “selective and politicized,” asserting that “the current restrictions violate the rights of the organization and prevent it from fully representing the interests of Russian athletes on the international stage.”

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it will allow Russian athletes to compete in team events and qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated: “We have been clear that we want to ensure all athletes have the opportunity to compete at the Olympics, without being held responsible for the actions of their governments.”

World Athletics’ stance, led by Coe—a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters—contrasts with other Olympic federations. The International Gymnastics Federation and the International Skating Union have eased restrictions on Russian athletes.

Speaking on the sidelines of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham late Thursday, Coe stressed his unwavering confidence in World Athletics’ policy: “I will be at the arbitration court to defend that position. That is how I feel about it.”

Coe added: “As a sport, we will continue to do what we believe is best for our sport. The supremacy of an international federation to determine eligibility within your sport is a fundamental cornerstone. When we have gone to court before, that concept has been upheld.”

The World Athletics chief also rejected suggestions that his organization’s position is politically motivated: “This is not about politics or passports. It is about the integrity of competition, and that is the position we will defend.”

Ukraine has criticized the IOC’s decision to allow Russian athletes to participate in Los Angeles as “premature” and “unfounded” while the conflict continues into its fifth year. World Athletics established a special support fund in 2022 to assist Ukrainian athletes, acknowledging that “the ability of Ukraine and its athletes to train and compete remains severely affected.”

Coe has previously said that if a peace agreement were reached, sport should not stand in the way of Russian athletes’ return. However, the conflict has left a deep mark on him following a visit to Ukraine. In an interview with AFP last year, he shared: “So, sorry, this is not something I can be really neutral about.”