Russia's track and field federation has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), aiming to overturn a ruling by World Athletics that maintains the suspension of its athletes from international competitions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The suspension, which initially affected all Russian and Belarusian athletes, was implemented in March 2022 right after the invasion. This decision was recently reaffirmed during a council meeting.

In contrast, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has eased its restrictions on Russia ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a move celebrated by the Kremlin as an "important step" and a recommendation for other sports bodies.

The Russian track federation, known as Russian Athletics, claimed that World Athletics' ruling "affects the fundamental interests of athletics in Russia and restricts Russian athletes’ right to compete, on grounds that Russian Athletics considers discriminatory." They emphasized their commitment to pursue all legal avenues to protect their athletes' interests.

World Athletics has committed to defending its position, with President Sebastian Coe stating that the organization discussed potential pathways for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition but ultimately decided against it. He highlighted that the sanctions are vital for maintaining the integrity and fairness of competitions.

Since 2015, Russia has not competed under its own flag at world athletics championships due to a prior doping suspension, which was lifted in 2023. The situation prevents Russian athletes from participating in the 2024 Paris Games, as World Athletics oversees the qualification process, despite the IOC allowing neutral athletes in other sports.

As of now, CAS has not confirmed whether the appeal has been officially registered.