October resolution: arbitration recognized the suspension of Russian athletes as discrimination

There is a turning point in Russian sports: for the first time, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recognized the suspension of Russian athletes from international competitions as discrimination. This wording appeared in the court's decision, which lifted the ban on the participation of Russians in the tournaments of the European Table Tennis Union. According to Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, legal proceedings in the interests of Russian athletes will continue. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Thanks to the tennis players

The CAS has granted the appeal of the Russian Table Tennis Federation (FNTR) against the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU). Let us remind you that in 2022, the latter decided to suspend our and Belarusian athletes and officials from all competitions in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport found that the decision violated the principles of political neutrality and non-discrimination prescribed in the ETTU Constitution and the Olympic Charter. In addition, the CAS called the suspension excessive and noted that other restrictive measures, such as playing under a neutral flag, had not been considered. The court found it permissible in order to reduce political tension.

"The decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which granted the appeal of the Russian Table Tennis Federation against the European Table Tennis Union, was not made on October 16, but the operative part has now been published," Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said in a conversation with Izvestia. — It recognizes in black and white the discriminatory nature of the suspension of Russian athletes in table tennis. A lot of work has been done by the Russian Table Tennis Federation. Well done. Let me remind you that the staff of lawyers of the Olympic Committee has been increased several times. We have hired the best lawyers in Lausanne. Legal proceedings in the interests of Russian athletes will continue. In particular, the Russian Olympic Committee, together with the Russian Bobsleigh Federation and the Russian Luge Federation, also continues litigation, defending the rights of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026. This work will be continued and strengthened.

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However, the CAS stressed that the current decision applies only to table tennis and is not applicable to other sports.

— This does not directly affect football or any other sport. CAS decisions cannot be used as a precedent. Nevertheless, this is an alternative point of view, fixed in the CAS decision that came into force," sports lawyer Mikhail Prokopets told Izvestia.

According to the minister, the CAS decision will be of key importance for other lawsuits.

— It is important to note that although the CAS has indicated that this decision has no precedent, this is not the case, — Mikhail Degtyarev continued. — This is definitely a precedent and a basis for other federations, for the Russian Olympic Committee in litigation in the interests of our athletes. We will continue to fight legally, because athletes are not responsible for relations between countries or for government decisions. And according to the Olympic Charter, they should have the right to compete and defend the colors of the national flag of Russia.

Positive examples

Representatives of table tennis are not the first to succeed in the fight against restrictions. Back in June 2022, the Russian Bobsleigh Federation won the case at the Appeals Tribunal of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), overturning the decision on temporary suspension.

However, that question concerned officials, not athletes. Bobsledders have remained out of work — they have not participated in the World Championships since 2021, and in September it became known that the Russian team would also not go to the 2026 Olympics.

In 2023, the Russian Paralympic Committee won a partial victory, which was able to appeal the discriminatory decision of the International Paralympic Committee to suspend the membership of the RPC, adopted in 2022.

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Unlike bobsledders with Paralympians, the ice broke — despite the problems with team sports, singles athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to compete in a neutral status. As a result, an impressive delegation of neutral athletes went to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, which managed to win 71 medals, including 26 gold.

In September 2025, the RPC achieved even greater success — full restoration of its rights, which means the return of the flag and anthem at all competitions for which the International Paralympic Committee is responsible. However, there are still questions about the 2026 Paralympics - individual federations are responsible for five of the six disciplines, which so far have not allowed Russians to compete even in a neutral status. How to qualify for Italy in such conditions is a question, but we will believe in the best.

Now a positive CAC solution for table tennis has been added.