Russia reinstated in international volleyball amid controversy
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced that Russian athletes and teams are again eligible to compete in worldwide tournaments, following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to lift the temporary suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The reinstatement includes retaining the points Russian teams earned before their exclusion, placing the Russian men’s squad at third in the FIVB rankings.
Polish Volleyball Federation president Sebastian Świderski expressed shock, calling the move “very strange” and saying he will not force Polish players to boycott matches but will leave the decision to the athletes. He also noted that Russian teams could obtain visas for competitions in Poland only if political conditions change.
The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) confirmed it will respect the FIVB decision but noted that registration for the 2026‑27 club cups closed before the announcement, so Russian clubs will not appear in this season’s European tournaments. Ukrainian volleyball star Oleh Plotnytskyi denounced the decision on social media, asking when the sport will stop rewarding a nation involved in war.
The controversy has sparked debate across the volleyball community about fairness, security, and the impact of ongoing hostilities on sport.