Russian athletes face varying restrictions in international sports competitions

International sports federations are increasingly navigating the participation of Russian athletes following the invasion of Ukraine. While the International Olympic Committee has ruled that Russian athletes may compete, different disciplines and host nations are applying varying restrictions.

In volleyball, the FIVB has allowed Russian women to participate in the upcoming World Championships co-hosted by the USA and Canada, despite objections from Canada. Sebastian Świderski, President of the Polish Volleyball Federation, expressed surprise at the decision, noting that while the men's tournament in Poland will not include Russia, the women's tournament may see matchups such as Poland vs. Russia or Russia vs. Ukraine.

In gymnastics, the Netherlands has effectively barred Russian participation in the upcoming World Gymnastics Championships scheduled for mid-October. Russian gymnasts have reportedly been denied visas, preventing them from traveling to the event, which serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Russian gymnastics federation stated that delays in visa processing could prevent the team from arriving in time for training.