The effects of the COVID-19 epidemic in the world of sport may prove very unexpected. The pandemic could offer a reprieve to Russia, still threatened with a 4-year suspension from the international sports movement. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced its decision to no longer organize any hearings at its premises in Lausanne at least until May 1, due to the risks of spreading the virus. Certainly, the CAS explains in a press release that it encourages stakeholders in the various cases to exchange views by videoconference, or even to cancel the hearings and rely on the written elements contained in the files. But it seems very likely that this postponement of the proceedings should not allow the CAS to render a verdict in the dispute between WADA and Russia before the Tokyo 2020 Games. Russia could therefore participate under its colors and its flag in the events Olympics, excluding athletics… provided that the Games take place on the initial dates.
