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International sports federations lifting athlete bans

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-03 08:01 UTC → 2026-09-04 09:31 UTC · added removed

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 on September 2 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. The While the FIS stated it will continuously monitor compliance compliance, the move has drawn criticism from the figure skating community, where some coaches and impose sanctions for any violations. athletes expressed concerns regarding the precedent of allowing athletes from nations engaged in military aggression to participate in international sporting movements.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-04 09:31 UTC International sports federations lifting athlete bans
  2. 2026-09-03 08:01 UTC International sports federations lifting athlete bans
  3. 2026-09-02 19:23 UTC International sports federations lifting athlete bans

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