World Athletics bans Russian athletes from competition / Photo: ©
-
Japanese anime actor fights TikTok over AI voice cloning
-
Power cuts, rubble: millions come home to find Sudan's capital unlivable
-
Curtain falls on the romance of India's single-screen cinemas
-
Internationals keep Presidents Cup lead with late fightbacks
-
Smells like teen spirit as US thrash Peru 4-1
-
Tuchel to 'keep pushing' England to reach Spain's level
-
Cavy chaos: Hundreds attend New Zealand's biggest guinea pig show
-
Alcaraz saves match points to keep Europe ahead in Laver Cup
-
Venezuela releases more political prisoners after opposition talks
-
Spain success driven by hunger to improve, says De La Fuente
-
England's best 'for a long time' despite Spain defeat, says Kane
-
Lyon collapse at Stade Francais to suffer first Top 14 loss
-
Powerful storm pummels northeast US with rain, high winds
-
Oyarzabal and Spain sink England again as Modric shines for Croatia
-
Filmmaker Mike Leigh wins top prize at Spain festival with 'last film'
-
Housing protesters camp in central Madrid after mass demonstration
-
Spain beat England in Nations League to extend unbeaten run
-
Louise Trotter expands her palette at Bottega Veneta
-
Ireland squad vote to play Israel tie despite Gaza unease
-
Pope prays at Lourdes after huge Paris mass
-
Gutsy Vollering wins cycling road race world title
-
USA trims International lead after Presidents Cup four-balls
-
Vollering wins cycling road race world title
-
Russia accuses Europe of blocking Ukraine talks, as strikes drag on
-
Man City's meteoric rise clouded by dark shadow
-
'He said hello': Families pray with pope on Paris avenue
-
Mbappe out for two weeks or more with knee injury say Real
-
Pope celebrates giant Paris mass, flies to Lourdes
-
Lyon collapse away to Stade and suffer first Top 14 loss
-
Thousands march in Madrid over eviction of 87-year-old woman
-
Russia accuses Europe of seeking to thwart Ukraine talks
-
England women back to winning ways with last-gasp defeat of New Zealand
-
Man City chairman defiant over reported Premier League charges
-
Trump rejects Iran proposal for deal to reopen Hormuz
-
Germany ready to 'walk through fire' for Klopp, says Tah
-
England's Cox says injured Buttler leaves 'big shoes to fill'
-
At least 16 killed in Russian and Ukrainian strikes
-
Ruthless Perpignan upset sloppy Bordeaux-Begles
-
Powerful storm pummels US Northeast
-
Deadly abbey attack feeds anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland
-
Bangkok declares disaster after homes flooded, roads submerged by heavy rain
-
Antonelli says he drove 'safety-first' on his worst weekend of season
-
Norris calls for errant Colapinto to be banned for causing Baku crash
-
Fernandez fights back to reach Singapore Open final
-
Russell finds himself again and prepares to heap pressure on Antonelli
-
Giant statue of Pope Leo XIV takes shape in Peru workshop
-
South Korea hold nerve to win Asian Games basketball gold
-
Ukraine crush holders Italy to reach first BJK Cup final
-
Russell holds off Verstappen to claim imperious victory in Baku
-
Pope celebrates giant Paris mass in landmark visit
World Athletics bans Russian athletes from competition
Russian athletes were barred from all competitions by World Athletics on Tuesday over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a punishment the body's president said was "against the grain" but defendable.
"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 said in a statement.
"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)."
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said it was the last resort for him in terms of punishments.
"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, business 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."
World Athletics also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its scheduled Council meeting next week (9-10 March).
The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World Athletics since 2015, due to doping violations, and therefore is not currently eligible to host World Athletics events or send teams to international championships.
The Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) process remains in place but Russian athletes who have received ANA status for 2022 are excluded from World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.
This means that all Russian ANA or Belarusian athletes currently accredited for the Race Walking Team Championships and the World Athletics Indoor Championships (March 18-20) will have their accreditation withdrawn and entries denied, as will any support personnel and officials.
T.Bondarenko--BTB
