The international badminton federation, like other sports federations, has decided to reintegrate Russians and Belarusians into competitions under a neutral banner and on an individual basis from 2024, the federation said in a press release.
This position is in line with the IOC’s recommendation taken in the spring to reintegrate Russians and Belarusians into world sport, under several conditions including that of the neutral banner, “in an individual capacity”, and provided that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.
Change of opinion
“The International Badminton Federation confirms that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to participate as neutral athletes in tournaments starting February 26, 2024,” the federation writes.
Last April, she took the opposite position, questioning in particular the “clarity” of the “complex IOC criteria for authorizing the participation” of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Since the position taken by the IOC, with the exception of the international athletics and swimming federations which have not reinstated them, several international federations have done so, with different timetables (fencing, gymnastics, archery , judo, climbing) and this while the qualification process for the Olympics has begun.
No decision yet for the Olympics
For badminton, the reintegration process will start in September and the selected players will then pass “a robust doping control” paving the way for their return in early 2024, specifies the international federation.
Regarding the Paris Olympics, the IOC has not yet decided on a possible Russian or Belarusian participation and will do so when it wishes, “at its sole discretion and without being bound by the results of the previous Olympic qualifying events. “.
2023-08-30 15:04:03
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