MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 August 2026 – Russian Athletics has lodged a new claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the sanctions and restrictions currently imposed on the federation by World Athletics.
Russian Athletics’ principal aim is to secure the return of Russian athletes to international competition and to achieve the lifting of the restrictions affecting the federation itself. The federation maintains that the current measures affect its rights and limit its ability to fully represent the interests of Russian athletes at the international level.
“We regard the current restrictions on Russian Athletics as significant in their scale and impact compared with those affecting other sports federations. They limit the federation’s ability to operate internationally and also affect the development of athletics in Russia, particularly regarding opportunities for young athletes. They also restrict our ability to fully represent Russian athletics internationally,” said Boris Yaryshevskiy, Chief Executive Director of Russian Athletics.
“For these reasons, we will continue to address these issues through the appropriate legal mechanisms and seek a review of the restrictions. We are also considering further steps aimed at achieving what we believe would be a fair and constructive resolution.”
Under the current restrictions, Russian Athletics is unable to send representatives to World Athletics working bodies where rules are developed and strategic decisions are taken. The federation does not participate in World Athletics Council meetings or voting and, as a result, is unable to contribute directly to key decisions concerning the development of international athletics.
Russian specialists are currently unable to participate in international coaching conferences, seminars and other specialised events, while Russian officials do not have access to relevant professional development programmes and are unable to renew their existing international officiating categories or obtain new ones.
The CAS has already accepted an earlier claim from Russian Athletics challenging World Athletics’ decision to extend the suspension of Russian athletes from international competitions held under its auspices. Russian Athletics has engaged experienced international lawyers specialising in sports law, including CAS proceedings, to represent the federation in the arbitration process.
Russian Athletics continues to engage in dialogue with international sports organisations and maintains working contacts within World Athletics. The federation intends to continue representing and defending the interests of Russian athletes and the wider Russian athletics community through established legal and institutional channels and in accordance with the applicable rules and principles of international sports law.
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