🌍 FIE LIFTS RESTRICTIONS: RUSSIAN AND BELARUSIAN ATHLETES & OFFICIALS TO RETURN UNDER NATIONAL FLAGS AT 2026 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — 2 JUNE, 2026

The Executive Committee of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has announced that all remaining protective measures regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials will be lifted, allowing them to compete under their respective national flags, anthems, acronyms, and uniforms.

According to an official statement released by the FIE on June 2, 2026, the updated protocol will go into effect at the upcoming 2026 Senior World Championships, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong, China, from July 22 to July 30. The policy shift permits passport holders and officials from both nations to participate fully in all FIE-sanctioned individual and team classification events.

Alignment with the International Olympic Committee

The governing body's ruling follows a pivotal administrative decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier in the month. On May 7, 2026, the IOC announced that its Executive Board no longer recommended any participation restrictions or protective measures regarding Belarusian athletes and national teams across events organized by International Federations (IFs).

By lifting the previous conditions of participation introduced on February 28, 2022, and updated on March 28, 2023, the IOC cleared the path for sports governing bodies to return to standard registration protocols for these athletes.

Foundational Principles of the Decision

In its administrative brief, the FIE Executive Committee specified that the lifting of sanctions directly aligns with the legal and ethical mandates outlined in both the global and internal fencing guidelines.

The federation noted, "The decision reflects the FIE’s commitment to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, including non-discrimination, equal treatment, and the universality of sport, as well as the objectives and principles set out in the FIE Statutes."

The policy transition formally ends the neutral designation protocol—previously required for independent athletes competing under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner—bringing an end to the transitional system ahead of the seasonal pinnacle in Hong Kong.