International Biathlon Union maintains suspension of Russia and Belarus

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has decided not to include the reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes on the agenda for its upcoming Congress in Berchtesgaden, Germany, scheduled for September 17–20. The IBU Executive Council determined that both nations have failed to meet the necessary conditions to lift their 2022 suspensions.

According to the Ukraine Biathlon Federation, the IBU cited a lack of distance from the war in Ukraine and the continued participation of athletes or officials in the armed forces as primary reasons for maintaining the sanctions. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recently moved toward allowing eligible athletes from these nations to compete as neutral individuals, the IBU is maintaining its current stance.

The Russian Biathlon Union has expressed regret over the decision and is currently awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Russian side has filed a lawsuit alleging that the IBU’s position is discriminatory based on nationality and inconsistent with the Olympic Charter.