World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has drawn a firm line over the organisation’s Russia policy, saying he is ready to appear before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to defend the continued restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The latest challenge was filed by Russia’s athletics federation, which has taken the dispute to CAS after World Athletics decided in July to retain the sanctions first introduced in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Athletics has described the measures as “selective and politicised”, arguing that they have prevented the federation from properly representing its athletes on the international stage.
“The current restrictions infringe on the organisation's rights and prevent it from fully representing the interests of Russian athletes on an international level,” it said.
The legal battle comes against the backdrop of a different approach by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has said Russian athletes will be allowed to take part in team events and qualifying competitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“We made it clear that we wanted to ensure all athletes have the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games and not be held responsible for their government's actions,” IOC president Kirsty Coventry said.
The IOC position has exposed a growing difference between World Athletics and some other international sports federations. World Gymnastics and the International Skating Union have already eased some of the restrictions affecting Russian competitors.
Coe, a former British Olympic champion over 1,500 metres, said he remained convinced that World Athletics had taken the right position when he spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
“Well, I will be in the court of arbitration defending that position. That's how I feel about it,” Coe said.
“We will as a sport continue to do what we think is in the best interests of our sport.
“The primacy of an international federation to determine what eligibility looks like in your sport is the base of the pyramid.
“When we have been to the court before on previous occasions, that concept has been upheld.”
Coe also rejected the suggestion that the restrictions were driven by politics, saying the focus was on maintaining fair competition.
“This is not about politics or passports. This is about the integrity of competition, and that is the position that we will be defending.”
Ukraine has criticised the IOC’s decision to open the door further for Russian participation at the Los Angeles Games, describing it as “premature” and “unfounded”. The criticism comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its fifth year.
World Athletics has supported Ukrainian athletes since the conflict began, setting up a dedicated fund in 2022. The organisation has also acknowledged that “no doubt the ability of Ukraine and its athletes to train and compete remains severely compromised”.
Coe has previously said that a peace deal would change the situation and that sport should not block Russian athletes from returning if peace is achieved.
His position has also been influenced by a visit to Ukraine during the conflict. Speaking to AFP last year, Coe acknowledged the personal impact of what he witnessed.
“So, sorry, it's not something I could ever really be neutral about,” he told AFP.