The Russian Athletics Federation has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging World Athletics' decision to maintain restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes' participation in international competitions.
The federation condemned the ban as discriminatory, arguing it undermines the fundamental interests of Russian athletics. World Athletics has said it will vigorously defend its position. The global governing body originally stripped Russia and Belarus of competition rights over the war in Ukraine, with athletes excluded from international events since 2022. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe explored options for a conditional return but ultimately decided against lifting the suspension.
Russia's athletics federation had already been suspended since November 2015 over systematic doping before the war-related ban was added. The appeal comes as the International Olympic Committee recently eased restrictions on Russian participation ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.