# International sports federations lifting athlete bans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-sports-federations-lifting-athlete-bans > Updated: 2026-09-02T18:37:27.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 2. International sports federations have begun lifting restrictions on individual Russian and Belarusian athletes following previous suspensions related to the invasion of Ukraine. On September 1, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced it would allow individual athletes, coaches, and officials from Russia and Belarus to participate in international and 3x3 competitions. This decision aligns with recent recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While individual participation is permitted, FIBA maintained the ban on national teams and professional clubs. The federation is working with the IOC and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) to address logistical and security concerns, including planning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. A final decision regarding the return of teams and clubs, as well as anti-doping program implementation, is expected during the FIBA Central Board meeting in December 2026. Following this trend, the International Ski Federation (FIS) announced that Russian and Belarusian winter sports athletes may return to World Cup competitions in disciplines such as alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined. This decision, effective from the 2026/27 season, follows legal challenges brought by Russia and Belarus before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). These athletes must compete under the FIS flag rather than their national flags and are required to sign a declaration of neutrality. National symbols, including anthems and uniforms, remain prohibited, and team events stay banned. While the FIS stated it will continuously monitor compliance, the move has drawn criticism from the figure skating community, where some coaches and athletes expressed concerns regarding the precedent of allowing athletes from nations engaged in military aggression to participate in international sporting movements. ## Claims - FIBA has lifted restrictions for individual Russian and Belarusian athletes, coaches, referees, and officials. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Decisions regarding the participation of national teams and clubs remain pending. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The FIBA Central Council will make final decisions on team and club participation in December. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The lifting of individual restrictions applies to both basketball and 3x3 basketball. (corroborated by 3 sources) - FIBA is aligning its decisions with recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) actions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Future decisions will include the implementation of an adequate anti-doping program. (corroborated by 3 sources) - FIBA will work with the IOC and ASOIF to address logistics and security for team reintegration. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: FIS allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to winter sports The FIS will allow Russian and Belarusian winter sports athletes to return to individual competitions starting in the 2026/27 season under strict neutrality requirements. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fis-allows-russian-and-belarusian-athletes-to-return-to-world-cup ### 2026-09-01: FIBA lifts restrictions for Russian and Belarusian basketball individuals FIBA has lifted bans on individual Russian and Belarusian basketball players, coaches, and officials, though national teams and clubs remain suspended pending a decision in December. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fiba-lifts-restrictions-for-russian-and-belarusian-individual-athletes --- Cite as: International sports federations lifting athlete bans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-sports-federations-lifting-athlete-bans