World Athletics chief Coe to defend Russia sanctions at Court of Arbitration for Sport
Sebastian Coe confirms personal attendance at CAS hearing following new challenge by Russian Athletics, maintaining ban imposed in 2022 despite international pressure.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has confirmed he will personally appear before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to defend the governing body’s sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes. The legal move follows a new claim lodged by Russian Athletics, which argues that the restrictions are selective, politicised, and infringe upon the federation’s rights to represent its athletes on the international stage.
The ban was initially imposed in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While World Athletics announced in July that it would maintain these restrictions, the decision places the sporting body at odds with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC recently permitted Russian athletes to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a policy shift aimed at ensuring athletes are not held responsible for their government’s actions.
Coe rejected the notion that World Athletics’ stance is driven by political considerations. Speaking to journalists at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, he asserted that the policy is grounded in the integrity of competition rather than passports or geopolitics. He emphasised that the primacy of an international federation to determine eligibility is a foundational principle of sport, a concept he noted has been upheld by courts in previous instances.
The divergence in policy highlights a growing split among international sporting federations. While World Athletics maintains its strict position, other bodies such as World Gymnastics and the International Skating Union have eased restrictions on Russian competitors. Coe indicated that while the current stance is firm, a future peace agreement could facilitate the return of Russian athletes, stating it is not for sport to stand in the way of such a resolution.
Ukraine has strongly criticised the IOC’s decision, describing it as premature and unfounded. World Athletics established a dedicated fund in 2022 to support Ukrainian athletes, acknowledging that their ability to train and compete remains severely compromised. Coe admitted that a recent visit to Ukraine has impacted his personal neutrality regarding the conflict, though he maintained that the organisation’s approach remains focused on sporting integrity.
