Fencing Federation Lifts Russia, Belarus Ban for 2026 World Championships

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has lifted all Ukraine conflict-related restrictions imposed in 2022 on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flags and anthems.

Numerous Olympic federations barred athletes from the two countries across dozens of sports in 2022. However, a number of international sporting bodies have since permitted some to compete individually under a neutral flag, while a few organizations dropped the bans altogether.

In a statement on Tuesday, the FIE announced that the decision will take effect starting with the 2026 Senior World Championships in Hong Kong, scheduled for July 22 to July 30.

“The decision reflects the FIE’s commitment to the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, including non-discrimination, equal treatment, and the universality of sport,” the federation said.

Russian and Belarusian fencers were previously allowed to return to individual international events under a neutral flag in March 2023, with restrictions similarly relaxed for team events in late 2025.

Last month, the World Gymnastics Executive Committee likewise cleared Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to return to international competition after being banned for more than four years, making it the fifth Olympic federation to allow representatives of the two countries to participate under their national flags.

Others to lift their bans include the international federations for judo, taekwondo, and aquatic sports, as well as the governing bureau of United World Wrestling.

Russian officials have repeatedly accused Western nations of politicizing sport and pressuring federations to exclude their athletes, as well as of applying double standards with respect to other countries involved in armed conflicts.