Which federations allowed the Russian Federation to participate in competitions without restrictions. The main thing

On Monday, May 18, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG, World Gymnastics) allowed Russian athletes to participate in international competitions without restrictions. Thus, after a long time, gymnasts from the Russian Federation will perform under their own flag and anthem. What other federations have lifted restrictions from Russians can be found in the Izvestia article.

International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)

A positive decision on the admission of Russian gymnasts to international competitions without restrictions was made on Sunday, May 17, at a meeting of the executive committee in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The European Commission has called for the immediate lifting of all restrictions that have been in place against Russian athletes since February 2022. Gymnasts will now be able to use the flag and anthem in all disciplines, including athletic and artistic gymnastics, trampolining, acrobatics and aerobics.

Bureau of the United World of Wrestling (UWW)

Shortly before FIG, on May 15, the Bureau of the United World of Wrestling also allowed athletes from Russia to participate in international competitions without restrictions. According to Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation and President of the Russian Olympic Committee, the relevant decision will apply to all age categories.

Earlier, the federation opened access to competitions for Russian juniors under the age of 23.

Athletes from the Russian Federation are allowed to start under their own flag again. What you need to know

International Federation of Water Sports (World Aquatics)

World Aquatics has also allowed the use of state symbols in swimming, diving and synchronized swimming. This decision was made on April 13.

The President of World Aquatics, Hussein Al Musallam, stressed that over the past three years, the federation has successfully helped to avoid conflicts outside of sports competitions.

The Council of the World Taekwondo Federation (World Taekwondo)

The Council allowed Russians to compete under its flag at international tournaments on January 31. According to the organization's press release, the decision applies to both juniors and adult athletes.

At the same time, the World Taekwondo Federation has left the existing restrictions unchanged — international competitions cannot be organized in Russia. Prior to that, the World Taekwondo Federation allowed Russians to participate in tournaments only without national symbols.

International Sambo Federation (FIAS)

The organization decided to allow Russians to participate in international competitions under the national flag and the national anthem on December 4 last year. The restrictions were officially lifted on January 1, 2026.

The head of the European and All-Russian Sambo Federation, Sergey Eliseev, called the relevant step extremely important and stressed that it restores sports justice and develops our sport.

Now with the IOC: Russia accelerates its return to world sport

Sports authorities expand Russians' access to competitions

International Judo Federation (IJF)

The Federation returned to Russians the right to compete under its flag at international competitions on November 27, 2025. The full-fledged participation of Russian judoka under the tricolor after prolonged restrictions took place at the Grand Slam tournament in Abu Dhabi, which took place on November 28-30.

The organization's release emphasized that this decision promotes solidarity and peace.

Participation of Russian juniors in international competitions

In addition to competitions of all ages, some federations have already allowed Russian juniors to participate in international competitions under the national flag and anthem. The corresponding restrictions on athletes from the Russian Federation were lifted by the World Curling Federation, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the European Aquatics Federation.

Despite the positive dynamics, a complete ban on the participation of Russians remains in sports such as football, athletics, biathlon, figure skating and hockey. In some disciplines, such as cycling and cross—country skiing, athletes are allowed to participate in international tournaments exclusively without national symbols.