Russian athletes appeal to IOC and UN to end international competition ban

Russian athletes have issued an open letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, appealing for an end to the ban on their participation in international competitions. The athletes argue that more than four years of exclusion has caused devastating damage to their professional careers, noting that such a period represents the most significant years of an athlete's life.

The sanctions, which were implemented following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, also extend to athletes from Belarus. During a recent meeting, the World Athletics Council reaffirmed the exclusion of both nations from international events.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe defended the decision, stating, “This isn’t about politics or passports. It’s about the integrity of competition.” While Coe noted that the long-term goal is to restore global access to the sport, no immediate changes to the policy have been announced. Meanwhile, legal challenges continue through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the Russian Athletics federation having filed formal appeals in July and August.