International Biathlon Union bars Russians from international competitions in 2026/27 season

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has upheld sanctions against Russia and Belarus imposed in 2022 over the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Sergei Averyanov, Head of the press service for the Russian Biathlon Union

Details: Ahead of the IBU Congress in Berchtesgaden, Germany, in September, the organisation said that Russian and Belarusian athletes had submitted requests in June and July to have the sanctions imposed on them reviewed. However, the IBU rejected the requests and the issue of the Russians and Belarusians returning to competition will not even be considered at the September congress.

IBU explained the decision by saying that neither Russia nor Belarus has met the conditions for the lifting of their suspension from international competitions. These requirements include distancing themselves from the war against Ukraine and ensuring that athletes and officials are not involved in the war in Ukraine.

The suspension of Russia and Belarus from international competitions will therefore remain in force. It should be noted that the IBU statutes do not provide a mechanism for athletes to compete under neutral status, making an interim partial lifting of the sanctions, as widely used in other sports, legally impossible in biathlon.

Background: On 7 May, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended that all restrictions on Belarusian athletes be lifted and that they be allowed to take part in official international competitions under their national flag, anthem and other state symbols.

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