A series of decisions by international sports federations has made it possible for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competitions in different sports. In July, the International Olympic Committee also temporarily lifted its ban on the Olympic committees of Russia and Belarus.
Before this development, the International Paralympic Committee decided in September 2025 not to maintain its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. This cleared the way for the athletes to participate in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympic Games, where Russian athletes won eight gold medals.
In December, the Olympic committee recommended that international federations lift bans on young athletes from Russia and Belarus. The International Judo Federation became the first federation to restore full participation rights for Russian senior athletes on November 27, 2025.
The return of senior athletes was cleared
At a meeting held in the United Arab Emirates on January 31, 2026, the World Taekwondo Council approved the return of Russian and Belarusian young and senior athletes. World Archery also readmitted Russian athletes on August 14, allowing them to compete under their national flags.
Two months after lifting its ban on young athletes, World Aquatics ended restrictions on Russian and Belarusian senior athletes on April 13, 2026. The association’s president, Husain Al Musallam, said sports venues should be kept free from conflicts and that athletes from all countries should be able to compete peacefully.
World Boxing restored full participation rights for all Russian athletes on July 30. Russian athletes will compete under the same conditions as boxers from other national federations, while the conduct of Russian delegations and their compliance with anti-doping rules will be closely monitored. Restrictions on Belarusian athletes had been lifted on May 12.
The International Equestrian Federation said it would lift restrictions on Russian riders and officials starting October 5. The decision will also allow international competitions to be held again in Russia. On May 19, 2026, the federation approved the return of young athletes from Russia and Belarus but maintained neutral status for senior athletes.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were readmitted by the International Fencing Federation on June 2, 2026. Following the decision, Russian fencer Pavel Graudyn won the gold medal in the men’s individual sabre event at the World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong on July 28, bringing Russia its first gold at major championships.
The International Gymnastics Federation lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian gymnasts on May 18, 2026. European Gymnastics also decided on July 28 to allow athletes to compete with national symbols.
The International Handball Federation lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian teams and officials on July 15, 2026. The federation said it would continue to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian Handball Federation, condemn the war in Ukraine and its consequences, and preserve international dialogue through the values of sport.
The International Judo Federation said sport was one of the last remaining bridges for reconciliation and peace. While supporting the return of Russian and Belarusian senior athletes with full national representation, the federation said athletes should not be held responsible for decisions by governments or other national institutions and that sport should remain independent of political influence.
The International Modern Pentathlon Union lifted its ban on Russian athletes on July 13, 2026, citing the Olympic committee’s recommendation. World Triathlon announced on August 21 that Russian athletes had been granted full participation rights, citing a statement by Mikhail Degtyarev, president of the Russian Olympic Committee and Russia’s sports minister. Under the federation’s previous decisions, young and Paralympic athletes had been accepted, while senior athletes were allowed to compete under neutral status.
The International Volleyball Federation returned Russian teams and athletes to the world rankings on July 8, 2026, with the points they had held when the initial ban was imposed. The federation said it was concerned about the war in Ukraine and opposed all forms of violence.
The International Weightlifting Federation readmitted Russian and Belarusian athletes on June 26. United World Wrestling also announced that Russian and Belarusian wrestlers could compete without restrictions starting May 15.
Restricted participation for young athletes
The World Baseball Softball Confederation readmitted young Russian and Belarusian athletes on January 19, 2026. The ban on senior athletes remained in place. The International Chess Federation lifted its ban on young athletes on December 14, 2025, while allowing senior athletes to compete under neutral status.
Following the Olympic committee’s recommendation, the World Curling Federation announced on January 30, 2026, that young Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate in international competitions. Senior athletes are unable to compete in the sport.
According to a June 9 statement by the Russian Sailing Federation, World Sailing approved the return of young Russian athletes to competitions. The International Ski Mountaineering Federation also readmitted young Russian and Belarusian athletes.
