World Athletics Prohibits Russian Contestants From All Competitions: Federation

In terms of punishment, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated that it was his final option.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: World Athletics prohibited Russian competitors from all contests on Tuesday in response to Russia's incursion on Ukraine, a sanction the body's president described as "against the grain" but justifiable, news agency AFP reported.

"All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, with immediate effect," World Athletics was quoted by AFP in its report.

"Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman (4 March)," it further said.

In terms of punishment, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated that it was his final option.

"Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of the actions of their government goes against the grain," he said.

"I have railed against the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sport to make political points when other sectors continue about their business. This is different, as governments, businesses and other international organisations have imposed sanctions and measures against Russia across all sectors. Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out," he further adds.

World Athletics has also agreed to examine additional actions, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its next Council meeting, which is set for next week (9-10 March).

Due to doping offences, the Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World Athletics since 2015, making it unable to organise World Athletics events or send teams to international championships.

The Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) protocol is still in operation, but Russian competitors who have been granted ANA status for 2022 are barred from competing in World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.

This implies that any Russian ANA and Belarussian athletes who are presently accredited for the Race Walking Team Championships and the World Athletics Indoor Championships (March 18-20) will have their accreditation revoked and their entry disallowed, as will any support staff and officials.

(With AFP Inputs)