Russian athletes were banned from all competitions by World Athletics on Tuesday over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a punishment the president said was “against the current” but defensible. “All athletes, support staff and officials from Russia and Belarus are immediately banned from all World Athletics Series events,” World Athletics said in a statement.
“Upcoming events include the Oregon22 World Championships in Athletics, the Belgrade 22 World Indoor Championships in Athletics, and the Muscat 22 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships, which begin Friday in Oman (March 4).”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said it was his last resort in terms of penalties.
“Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of their government’s actions goes against the grain,” he said.
“I have complained about the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sports to make political points when other sectors continue their business.
“This is different, as governments, companies and other international organizations have imposed sanctions and measures on Russia in all sectors.
“Sports must step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and must not sit this one out.”
World Athletics also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarusian Federation, at the Council’s scheduled meeting next week (March 9-10).
The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World Athletics since 2015 for doping violations and is therefore currently ineligible to host World Athletics events or send teams to international championships.
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The Authorized Neutral Athlete (ANA) process remains in effect, but Russian athletes who have been awarded ANA status before 2022 will be banned from World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.
This means that all Russian ANA or Belarusian athletes currently accredited to the Race Walking Team Championships and the World Athletics Indoor Championships (March 18-20) will revoke their accreditation and applications will be refused, as well as support staff and officials.
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