The International Sailing Federation, known as World Sailing, has announced that Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national flag and anthem starting in July 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in the federation’s stance, as it has lifted all previous sanctions against Belarusian competitors, coaches, and officials.
During an online meeting on June 9, the World Sailing Council approved the removal of restrictions that had been imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was supported by the Belarusian government. Previously, athletes from Belarus were required to compete under a neutral status, without the use of national symbols.
On May 7, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also rescinded earlier recommendations that had restricted Belarusian athletes. These changes reflect a broader trend among international sports federations, many of which have begun to ease restrictions on athletes from both Belarus and Russia.
Currently, the World Athletics Federation and the International Handball Federation remain the only major sports organizations that continue to uphold bans on Belarusian athletes. In contrast, most other sports have lifted restrictions, allowing participation under varying conditions.
For example, the European Gymnastics Union has permitted Russian athletes to compete, provided they adhere to strict neutrality and do not display national symbols. Meanwhile, Belarusian athletes have already been allowed to represent their country in several sports, including gymnastics, swimming, modern pentathlon, water skiing, Thai boxing, billiards, and fencing, among others. In ice hockey, the sanctions have been lifted only for the youth and women’s national teams.
This recent decision by World Sailing reflects ongoing discussions within the international sports community regarding the participation of athletes from nations involved in geopolitical conflicts. As the situation evolves, the policies of various sports organizations may continue to change in response to the broader political landscape.
World Sailing has lifted restrictions on Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flag starting in July 2025. This decision follows a trend among international sports federations to ease sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Radio Svoboda