The Russian Athletics Federation announced on Thursday that it has filed a formal appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision of World Athletics to extend the suspension of Russian athletes from international competitions.

Formal appeal against the suspension decision.

The Russian Federation stated in an official statement that it considers the World Athletics Council's decision 'discriminatory,' noting that it has tasked a team of specialized lawyers with taking the necessary legal steps before the CAS in an attempt to overturn the decision and return Russian athletes to international competitions.

On July 3, the World Athletics Council decided to extend the exclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus, continuing the suspension imposed since 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The decision means Russian athletes will continue to be absent from all international athletics competitions, despite recent developments within the Olympic movement.

Last Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee decided to temporarily lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee's membership, a step seen as a prelude to gradually reintegrating Russia into the Olympic framework.

Neutral participation in Olympics.

Despite the ongoing sanctions in athletics, Russian athletes were allowed to participate as neutrals in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and they also competed in the same capacity at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The CAS is expected to rule on the Russian appeal in the coming period, in a case that could have a direct impact on the future participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.