The return of Russian athletes to international competitions had begun even before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) temporarily lifted the ban on the Russian and Belarusian Olympic Committees in July 2026. Following a decision by the International Paralympic Committee in September 2025, Russian athletes won eight gold medals at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games. In December, the IOC recommended that international federations lift bans on junior Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Some sports took these steps even earlier. The International Judo Federation became the first body to grant senior Russian athletes full participation rights in November 2025. World Taekwondo also approved the return of both junior and senior athletes in January of this year.
Federations granting full participation rights
To date, 10 Olympic sports federations have allowed Russian athletes and teams to compete under the Russian flag, national anthem and team uniforms:
- Aquatics: The World Aquatics Bureau lifted the ban on senior athletes on 13 April 2026. President Husain Al-Musallam said, "Over the past three years, we have ensured that the conflict is kept out of the sports competition arenas."
- Fencing: The International Fencing Federation (FIE) readmitted Russian and Belarusian athletes on 2 June 2026. The decision was said to reflect adherence to the Olympic Charter's principles of non-discrimination and equal treatment.
- Gymnastics: The World Gymnastics Executive Committee announced on 18 May 2026 that it had lifted all restrictions.
- Handball: The International Handball Federation (IHF) lifted the ban on 15 July 2026, citing the IOC recommendation. While condemning the war in Ukraine, the IHF reiterated its commitment to protecting the values of sport.
- Judo: The International Judo Federation became the first federation to allow senior athletes on 27 November 2025, describing sport as "the last bridge for reconciliation and peace." The federation stated, "Sport must remain neutral, independent and free from political influence."
- Modern Pentathlon: The International Modern Pentathlon Union lifted the ban on 13 July 2026 in line with the IOC recommendation.
- Taekwondo: The World Taekwondo Council granted Russian and Belarusian athletes permission to return at a meeting in the United Arab Emirates on 31 January 2026.
- Volleyball: The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced on 8 July 2026 that Russian teams and athletes would return to their positions in the world rankings with the points they had at the time of the initial ban.
- Weightlifting: The International Weightlifting Federation decided on 26 June 2026 to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes.
- Wrestling: United World Wrestling announced on 15 May 2026 that Russian and Belarusian wrestlers could compete immediately without restrictions.
Those allowing only junior athletes
Some federations, however, have only opened the door to junior athletes:
- Baseball/Softball: The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) readmitted junior athletes on 19 January 2026, but the ban on seniors remains.
- Chess: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) lifted the ban on junior chess players on 14 December 2025; seniors can compete under neutral status.
- Curling: The World Curling Federation allowed junior athletes on 30 January 2026 following the IOC recommendation; seniors are still banned.
- Equestrian: The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) approved junior athletes on 19 May 2026, while stating that seniors must remain under neutral status.
- Sailing: The Russian Sailing Federation announced on 9 June 2026 that World Sailing had allowed junior athletes.
- Ski Mountaineering: The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) readmitted Russian and Belarusian junior athletes.
- Triathlon: World Triathlon lifted the ban on junior athletes in April 2026; seniors continue to compete as neutral athletes.
