Russia and Belarus, as well as athletes and officials from both countries, remain banned from all international biathlon competitions in response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
This was decided by the world association IBU on September 16th at its congress in Salzburg. With a large majority, the member associations followed the association’s management’s proposal to extend the sanctions that have been in force since March 1, 2022. The association announced that the exclusion applies until further notice.
According to another decision, the national associations of Russia and Belarus, which is considered to be a supporter of the Russian invasion, remain suspended until they clearly distance themselves from the war.
Meanwhile, IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed that the International Olympic Committee is looking for a solution on how Russian and Belarusian athletes can return to the sport. “It goes without saying that from the moment we said we were in this dilemma, we were looking for ways out of this dilemma,” Bach said at an award ceremony in Rome on Friday, adding: ” I can’t give any specific steps or a deadline.”