Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from all competitions by world athletics due to invasion of Ukraine

Russian athletes have been barred from all competitions by governing body of World Athletics due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: ‘The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by Belarus.

‘World leaders sought to avoid this invasion through diplomatic means but to no avail given Russia’s unswerving intention to invade Ukraine.’

The athletes will have their accreditation withdrawn and entries denied, as will any support personnel and officials. 

Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade22, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman on March 4. 

Coe added: ‘The unprecedented sanctions that are being imposed on Russia and Belarus by countries and industries all over the world appear to be the only peaceful way to disrupt and disable Russia’s current intentions and restore peace.

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

‘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 organizations 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.’

However, many sports organizations continued to allow Russian athletes to compete as an ‘Authorized Neutral Athlete’ (ANA), a loophole that allows Russia to participate in many international events.

Any Russian athletes who have received ANA status for 2022 will now be excluded from World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, said the organization. 

But in another development, MailOnline revealed Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes could still be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics because its team is already in China for an event on Friday.