United World Wrestling (UWW) has announced that wrestlers from Russia and Belarus can now compete without limitations in upcoming UWW competitions. They will participate under their respective national flags, including displaying ‘RUS’ and ‘BLR’ on their uniforms. The national anthems of Russia and Belarus will be played during medal ceremonies if their wrestlers secure gold medals or win championship titles.
This decision marks a significant change in UWW’s stance since restrictions were initially imposed due to the Ukraine conflict in 2022. UWW had aligned with IOC recommendations, barring Russian and Belarusian wrestlers from events. However, over the past two years, UWW has gradually eased these restrictions, allowing athletes to compete internationally.
In a recent policy update, UWW has lifted all remaining limitations, enabling Russian and Belarusian wrestlers to fully represent their countries at UWW competitions worldwide. This move comes after a series of revisions to eligibility criteria and participation guidelines, reflecting a shift towards restoring national representation for athletes from these nations.
