Ankara: The International Fencing Federation (FIE): has announced the reinstatement of all measures allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags, uniforms, acronyms, and anthems in individual and team events.

According to Anadolu Agency, the new regulations are set to take effect at the 2026 Senior World Championships in Hong Kong, scheduled from July 22-30. The FIE emphasized that this decision aligns with the core principles of the Olympic Charter, which include non-discrimination, equal treatment, and universality in sports, as well as the objectives outlined in the FIE Statutes.

The decision mirrors recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in December advocated for the reintegration of Russian and Belarusian youth athletes into international competitions. Furthermore, on May 7, the IOC Executive Board removed its previous restrictions on Belarusian athletes and teams, allowing them to participate in events governed by international federations and organizers.

Initially, in February 2022, the IOC recommended barring Belarusian and Russian athletes from international competitions following the onset of the Ukraine conflict. However, by March 2023, the IOC suggested that these athletes could compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, provided they did not actively support the war.