World Athletics stance on Russia ban unchanged: Sebastian Coe
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has reaffirmed that the organization will maintain its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes despite challenges from the Russian Athletics federation. This stance contrasts with the International Olympic Committee and other sports federations that have begun easing restrictions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Why it matters
The ongoing dispute highlights a significant divide in international sports governance regarding the intersection of geopolitical conflict and athlete participation.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe insisted on Sunday (September 13, 2026) that his stance on sanctions imposed on Russia by track and field's governing body were unchanged.
Russia's athletics federation has lodged a new claim at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the World Athletics sanctions, arguing not only for the admission of Russian athletes with an eye on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but also the restoration of its rights.
The global body for track and field announced in July it was keeping in place a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes that was imposed in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian federation, Russian Athletics, claims the sanctions are "selective and politicised".
"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.
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