No change in sanctions imposed on Russia in "the mother of sports"

World Athletics announced in July the maintenance of the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, which was imposed in March 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Athletics Federation asserts that these sanctions are "selective and politicized."

The federation stated: "The current restrictions violate the organization's rights and prevent it from fully representing the interests of Russian athletes at the international level."

The International Olympic Committee announced that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in team sports and the qualifiers for the Los Angeles Olympics.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: "We have made it clear that we want to ensure all athletes are given the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games and do not bear responsibility for the actions of their governments."

Ukraine criticized the International Olympic Committee's decision regarding the participation of Russians in the Los Angeles Olympics, describing it as "premature and lacking foundation," at a time when the war stemming from the Russian invasion enters its fifth year.

The stance of World Athletics, led by Coe—a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1500m—differs from the positions of other Olympic sport federations.

For example, the International Gymnastics Federation and the International Ski Federation have eased restrictions on Russian athletes.

It's not about politics

Coe (69 years old) stated on the sidelines of the inaugural edition of the "Ultimate Championship" in Budapest on Sunday that he still fully believes in the policy of World Athletics.

The Briton added: "Firstly, our position has not changed. This is not about politics or passports, but about the integrity of competition."

He added: "Ever since I was 18 years old, I have believed in this. Every position I have taken, whether during the creation of the first IOC Athletes' Commission or the stances I have taken personally, has been about integrity and about competition."

He continued: "This is important to me, and therefore our position will not change."

Coe said last month that he intends to appear personally before the Court of Arbitration for Sport to defend this position.

However, Russian Athletics Federation CEO Boris Yarishevsky said in an interview with the Russian TASS news agency last week that Coe exceeded the bounds of political neutrality with this statement.

He added: "It is very clear that he has a personal agenda. He is no longer speaking on behalf of World Athletics as an international federation. He is speaking on his own behalf, saying he will personally go to court to defend that."

He continued: "I believe this is merely his personal position, and not the position of World Athletics."

Coe acknowledged on Sunday the need to find a solution to this deadlock, saying: "Yes, this issue must be resolved, and I am fully aware of that."

He added: "It is important. We want full participation of athletes at the global level in our sport, and that must be our overall goal, and of course it is."