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January 20, 2026, 17:57
Russia and belarus Athletes Return to International Competition in More Sports
Youth athletes from Russia and Belarus are set to compete internationally under their national flags in curling, baseball, and softball, marking a further step in the nations’ return to global sports participation. This proclamation, made by Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation and head of the russian Olympic Committee, signifies an expansion of recent permissions granted by international sporting bodies.
IOC Recommendations and Implementation
The move follows recommendations made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on December 11th of the previous year. The IOC suggested allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions as neutrals, with specific conditions regarding individual and team sports IOC Statement. However, the implementation of these recommendations is dependent on the regulations of each individual international sports federation.
Expanding Opportunities for athletes
Degtyarev emphasized that this development represents a continuation of the process of reintegrating Russian and Belarusian