LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia's track and field federation says it has gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a World Athletics ruling suspending its athletes from international events due to the war in Ukraine.
World Athletics excluded all athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus from its international events in March 2022, days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
It kept that suspension in place at a council meeting last week. Since then, the International Olympic Committee has eased its restrictions on Russia ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — something the Kremlin hailed as an “important step” — and recommended other sports bodies do the same.
“Russian Athletics notes that World Athletics’ decision affects the fundamental interests of athletics in Russia and restricts Russian athletes’ right to compete, on grounds that Russian Athletics considers discriminatory," the Russian track federation said in a statement.
"Russian Athletics continues to pursue all available legal measures to protect the interests of Russian athletes.”
World Athletics vowed to defend the case.
“We take note of the Russian athletics federation’s appeal to CAS, and we will be strenuously defending our position," it said in a statement. CAS confirmed it has received “a request for arbitration” without giving details of when it could be heard.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said last week his organization discussed options for “a conditional pathway back into international competition” for Russian and Belarusian athletes, but opted against.
“We presented options for the council to consider on this matter, however, the original decision remains on the sanctions that protect the integrity and fairness of our competitions, with no tangible movement towards peace negotiations having materialized,” he said.
Russia hasn't competed under its own flag at a world athletics championships since 2015, when the Russian track federation was suspended over widespread doping.
A program allowing its athletes to compete under a neutral flag was ended in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine. World Athletics' original doping suspension was lifted in 2023.
No Russians competed in Olympic athletics at the 2024 Paris Games because the qualification system is overseen by World Athletics, even though the IOC allowed neutral athletes in other sports.
Volleyball became the first major Olympic team sport to welcome Russia back since the IOC decision. Its governing body, the FIVB, said in a statement Wednesday that it plans to allow back Russian teams and players at all levels.
“This approach reflects the FIVB’s commitment to protecting the fundamental right of athletes to access sport regardless of their nationality,” it said. It's not yet clear if those teams will play with Russian national symbols, though.
“The display of the Russian flag, anthem, colors or any other identifications will be at the discretion of the FIVB and the European Volleyball Confederation and decided in due time in consultation with the relevant international sports organizations to guarantee the full participation of the athletes,” the FIVB added.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
A man walks from the Russian National Olympic Committee building in Moscow, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 9, 2026--
Ellavoz Impact Capital, (Ellavoz) and Allivate Impact Capital® (Allivate) announced today a strategic collaboration to originate and execute high-impact Opportunity Zone (OZ) commercial real estate investments across the United States, targeting attractive returns alongside measurable social impact.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260709688835/en/
The collaboration unites two complementary firms with expertise across impact investing, asset management, and real estate development, creating a differentiated pipeline of investable opportunities in underserved, high-growth markets.
Allivate structures and deploys innovative capital solutions across asset classes, backed by a disciplined focus on risk-adjusted returns and measurable impact outcomes. The firm specializes in aligning private, public, and nonprofit capital to unlock value in underinvested communities, transforming underutilized assets into scalable economic opportunities. The team has been recognized globally and nationally for their innovative impact investing strategies that leverage the Opportunity Zone program. For more information, see allivate.com/awards/.
Ellavoz complements this with on-the-ground execution capabilities, including sourcing, developing, and managing workforce and affordable housing and other community centered real estate assets. Its vertically integrated platform and experience in Opportunity Zone fund strategies enable efficient deployment of capital into projects designed to deliver competitive financial performance while driving long-term community revitalization.
Together, the firms offer investors a compelling value proposition:
“Our mission has always been to use innovative capital solutions to elevate communities and alleviate poverty,” said Noelle St.Clair Lentz, CEO of Allivate Impact Capital. “Partnering with Ellavoz enhances our ability to achieve our mission to deliver institutional quality investments that align both financial returns and durable community impact.”
Jeff Crum, CEO of Ellavoz Impact Capital, added, “Ellavoz is thrilled to be working with Allivate Impact Capital on this new Opportunity Zone venture. Allivate’s relationships with institutional investors, deep understanding of Community Reinvestment Act requirements, and shared vision around community impact makes them a great partner as we look to grow our presence in the community investment space.”
The joint venture will focus on affordable and workforce housing projects that help create quality jobs, Main Street revitalization and historic preservation, including developments not contributing to gentrification or displacement. This venture has four objectives:
Additionally, the venture will seek to tackle the tremendous need for workforce housing that exists in many high cost housing markets. The affordable housing crisis is being worsened by a critical lack of housing that bridges the gap between luxury developments and deeply subsidized affordable housing. Without these options, working families, with low- and moderate-income, are left with limited, often unaffordable choices, highlighting the urgent need for zoning reform and more flexible development.
To reinforce accountability a dedicated Social Impact Advisory Board will provide independent oversight of impact performance. All investments will be evaluated using the Opportunity Zones Reporting Framework to promote consistency and transparency for investors.
As Opportunity Zone policy continues to evolve, the Allivate and Ellavoz partnership is positioned to capitalize on a maturing market by delivering institutional grade investments that integrate financial discipline with measurable social outcomes.
About Allivate Impact Capital®
Allivate Impact Capital® is an impact investing firm with a mission of using innovative capital solutions to elevate communities, alleviate poverty, and activate entrepreneurial ecosystems. As a subsidiary of Woodforest Financial Group, Allivate leverages an award-winning Community Development Team to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns from investments while delivering measurable positive social impact. Learn more at allivate.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Ellavoz Impact Capital
Ellavoz Impact Capital, LLC, is a social impact investor, advisor, asset manager, and real estate developer focused on creating and preserving workforce and affordable housing and other community-oriented real estate properties. Ellavoz’s strategy concentrates investments into price-attainable housing and economic development projects by working with socially aligned operators, local nonprofits, and governmental agencies to deliver positive community outcomes and double bottom line returns. For more information about Ellavoz Impact Capital, visit our website at Ellavoz.com.
Nothing contained herein should be deemed a prediction or projection of future performance of any funds managed by Allivate Impact Capital or Ellavoz Impact Capital, and any information regarding performance is presented solely to illustrate underwriting criteria and analysis. Past performance shall not be construed to be indicative of future performance result.
Nothing herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy interests in any investment, fund or other vehicle sponsored by Allivate Impact Capital, Ellavoz Impact Capital or any of their affiliates or partners. Any such offer or solicitation will only be made pursuant to confidential, definitive offering documents delivered to qualified investors and only in those jurisdictions where permitted by law.
Ellavoz Impact Capital & Allivate Impact Capital Join Forces to Scale High-Impact Opportunity Zone Investments
