Russian Athletics Federation challenges Dakar 2026 ban as Russia claims CAS victory in ice hockey case

RusAF questions continued exclusion of Russian athletes despite IOC youth-participation recommendations, while high jumper Arina Krylatkova laments missing the Games.

Updated : Oct 30, 2026 15:38 IST , CHENNAI - 3 MINS READ

File Image: Russian Wushu athlete Artem Blushke with the official 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics kit. | Photo Credit: AFP

The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has urged World Athletics to reconsider its exclusion of Russian competitors from the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, arguing that the decision contradicts International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidance on participation by young athletes.

In a statement, RusAF expressed “profound disappointment” and called on World Athletics to explain why Russian athletes remain ineligible for the athletics competition despite changes introduced by other international federations.

In December 2025, the IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international youth events, including Dakar, without nationality-based restrictions. Its guidance also permits national flags and anthems under the relevant federation’s rules, provided the national sporting organisation is in good standing.

However, international federations retain control over eligibility. World Athletics reaffirmed in July 2026 that Russian and Belarusian athletes, officials and support personnel would remain excluded from its international competitions, continuing restrictions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

ALSO READ | Russian federation files fresh CAS challenge against World Athletics sanctions

RusAF said the ban denied athletes opportunities at an important stage of their development and prevented competitors from other countries from facing some of their strongest peers.

RusAF also pointed to Russia’s record at previous Youth Olympics, including three athletics gold medals at Singapore 2010 and four golds and two silvers at Nanjing 2014, in support of its position.

“Young athletes should be able to pursue their sport, compete against their peers freely, and be judged by the same rules,” it said.

Russian high jumper Arina Krylatkova also criticised the decision. The athlete, who said she has a personal best of 1.83m and ranks among the world’s top three under-18 jumpers, described missing Dakar as a lost opportunity.

“I feel robbed of the opportunity to earn my place, test myself against my peers and be judged by my performance,” she added.

The dispute reflects differing approaches to Russia’s return to Olympic sport. At Paris 2024 and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, eligible Russian and Belarusian competitors participated as individual neutral athletes, without their national flags or anthems.

In July 2026, the IOC provisionally lifted the Russian Olympic Committee’s suspension and withdrew earlier participation recommendations for international federations.

World Athletics, however, continues to apply its own ban.

RusAF has requested an explanation and reconsideration before the youth athletics competition begins in Dakar.

Russia claims CAS ruling in ice hockey dispute

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov said on Friday that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had overturned decisions by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) preventing Russian national teams from participating in international competitions.

In a post on Telegram, Degtyaryov claimed that CAS had ruled in favour of Russia in its appeal against restrictions covering the 2026-27 season, including the men’s and women’s World Championships.

Russian ice hockey teams have been excluded from IIHF competitions since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia also missed the men’s and women’s ice hockey tournaments at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Oct 30, 2026

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