World Badminton Association maintains ban on Russians and Belarusians

KUALA LUMPUR (ANP) – Russian and Belarusian badminton players are not allowed to participate in international tournaments. The global badminton association BWF has decided this during a board meeting. Since the invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago, athletes have been banned from Russia and its ally Belarus.

In March, the International Olympic Committee IOC called on sports associations to allow athletes from both countries to participate in individual sports under a neutral flag and under certain conditions. Table tennis, fencing, judo and taekwondo, among others, responded to the IOC’s call.

The BWF recognizes that sport should promote peace and solidarity among all people, and that sport should not be used to influence geopolitics. “In this sense, the principle applies that athletes should always be able to participate in sports competitions regardless of their passport and regardless of any geopolitical conflict. But the BWF is not convinced that there is sufficient justification to justify the suspensions of Russian and Belarusian players and officials on this momentarily to cancel.”

The BWF expresses its support to the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian badminton community. “We condemn the invasion of Ukraine, which goes against BWF’s core values ​​and our goal of achieving peace.”

From May 1, points can be earned in badminton tournaments for qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.