The International Handball Federation (IHF) has significantly eased sanctions on the Russian and Belarusian national teams. The federation will now allow these teams to participate in international tournaments with their own flags and anthems.
In a statement, the IHF announced that its council had lifted the ban imposed on March 4, 2022, in line with the latest decisions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). With this decision, Russian and Belarusian teams, officials, referees, coaches, and experts will be able to participate in all events under the IHF umbrella.

The IOC had previously, on July 7, temporarily reinstated the status of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and withdrew its recommendation to international federations to lift restrictions on Russian athletes. The IHF's decision came as a result of these developments.
The federation also announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes must adhere to anti-doping rules and the World Anti-Doping Code, just like all other athletes. It added that oversight would be conducted in cooperation with the International Testing Agency (ITA).