Russian equestrian federation says FEI to lift ban on athletes and officials

Russia’s equestrian federation has said the sport’s ⁠global governing body (FEI) ⁠would lift its ban on ⁠Russian athletes and officials from October 5 and allow international events to be held in the country again.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been barred from representing their countries under their national flags ‌at FEI events since March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though some have competed as neutral athletes.

The FEI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside normal business hours in Switzerland.

The move follows the International Olympic Committee’s decision in July to provisionally ⁠lift its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

The Russian equestrian federation said on Wednesday the ‌FEI Council had approved the move after what it described as extensive negotiations between the national body and international officials.

Russia ‌will also be permitted to host FEI-sanctioned competitions from October 5, ⁠subject to compliance ⁠with FEI regulations, it added.