Despite a “recommendation” by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Biathlon Union IBU currently sees no reason for teams from Russia and Belarus to return.
“In view of the current situation in Ukraine, the reasons that led to the decision of the Congress are still valid. The time has not come to reconsider this decision,” said the IBU at the request of “SID”.
“The new IOC recommendations for the neutral participation of individual athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions have been noted and will be carefully examined,” it said.
“In the long term,” the IBU is “open to dialogue on how athletes from Russia and Belarus can be reintegrated into our competitions.” However, “the circumstances of the illegal invasion of Russia” have not yet changed.
In September 2022, the IBU Congress decided to continue banning Russia and Belarus from all competitions. The World Cup and the World Championships in Oberhof therefore took place without teams from the two countries.