World Athletics Rejects IOC Call to Lift Belarus Ban Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War Impact
Posted : 08 May 2026
World Athletics has refused to follow the International Olympic Committee’s recommendation to reinstate Belarusian athletes under their national flag.
The IOC had urged federations to ease restrictions, citing that Belarusian athletes have already competed as neutrals without incident.
However, World Athletics said its suspension, imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, will remain until there is clear progress toward peace.