UWW lifts restrictions on Russian, Belarusian wrestlers

United World Wrestling (UWW) has allowed Belarusian and Russian wrestlers to compete without any restrictions at international tournaments, the global body governing the sport said on Friday.

“Under the updated participation guidelines, wrestlers from Belarus and Russia will compete under their respective national flags at all age-group levels, including senior. Athlete and staff uniforms may now bear the country initials “RUS” and “BLR,” while the national anthems of both countries will be played during medal ceremonies at UWW events if their wrestlers win gold medals or a team wins a championship,” said UWW in an official statement.

In January, UWW had allowed athletes from the two countries to compete up to the U23 age-group level under their respective flags after a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee to lift restrictions on young sportspersons from Belarus or Russia in sports events, including team competitions.

The wrestlers from the two nations were banned from competing globally in March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in which the former was aided by Belarus. A year later, Russian and Belarusian wrestlers were allowed to compete in the U15 and U17 age categories as neutral athletes.

In September 2024, wrestlers from the two countries were also allowed to compete as neutral athletes at the senior level provided they didn’t publically support the war against Ukraine or were not directly involved in military participation.

Since February last year, the eligible Russian and Belarusian wrestlers could participate in international events under the UWW flag instead of being designated as the “Individual Neutral Athletes.”

Published on May 15, 2026