Sebastian Coe says sport must hit Russia with “unprecedented sanctions” to help end a war which has “horrified” the world.
The track legend spoke after World Athletics banned Russia and Belarus from all its competitions with immediate effect.
“The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by Belarus,” said the World Athletics president.
“World leaders sought to avoid this invasion through diplomatic means but to no avail given Russia’s unswerving intention to invade Ukraine.
“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.”
Athletics already takes a harder line on Russia than any other sport, having suspended the Russian Athletics Federation since 2015 due to doping violations.
It did allow Russians who were proven to be clean to compete as Authorised Neutral Athletes - but they have now slammed that door shut for the foreseeable future.
Coe added: “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 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.”
Upcoming events Russia and Belarus will be barred from include this month’s World Indoors in Belarus and the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in July.
World Athletics co-chair Renaud Lavillenie said: “While we understand the implications of this decision for Authorised Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarusian athletes, who may not be condoning their nations’ deplorable military action in Ukraine, we cannot ignore the message that inclusion of these two nations’ athletes would send to our friends in Ukraine and the rest of the world.”
