The pitch is clear: how the FIVB's decision can change the situation in world sports

Four years later, Russian volleyball teams finally won the right to compete in official international competitions again. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced the lifting of all restrictions on our national teams and clubs. At the same time, the issue of using national symbols remains open for now: the organization will make a decision on the flag and anthem after additional consultations. The decision of the FIVB may be an important signal for other international federations, which have not yet allowed Russian teams.

Thanks to the IOC?

In March 2022, the FIVB suspended national teams and clubs from Russia and Belarus from international tournaments under the auspices of the organization. In addition, Russia lost the right to host the men's World Volleyball Championship, which was scheduled to take place in 10 Russian cities from August 26 to September 11, 2022.

However, after the IOC's decision to temporarily restore OCD earlier this week, the FIVB did not delay its decision. The international federation's press release notes that the admission of Russian teams "reflects the organization's commitment to protecting the fundamental right of athletes to access sports, regardless of their nationality."

This is a consistent solution. In May 2026, the FIVB allowed the national teams of Belarus to participate in international tournaments. The organization notes that our teams should not be affected by prolonged absence from tournaments — their positions will remain the same as in 2022.

"The Russian national teams will also be restored to the world ranking with the same number of points they had at the time of their suspension," the statement said.

At the same time, the question of the use of national symbols remains open. The Federation will make a decision after consulting with the relevant international sports organizations.

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) is due to discuss the FIVB's decision on the admission of Russians in the near future.

"CEV takes note of the FIVB's decision in accordance with the updated recommendations of the IOC. We will not make further comments on this issue until the discussions are completed," the statement said.

Three and nine

Despite the admission, it's not worth waiting for a quick return. According to Stanislav Shevchenko, President of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VFB), a full-fledged comeback will take place next year.

"Tournaments are already underway, we can't get into them yet. There will be consultations. I think we will fully participate in all tournaments starting in 2027," TASS quoted him as saying.

But Russia will definitely get the opportunity to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.

— The qualification for the Games is one hundred percent yes, — continued the head of the WWF. — The FIVB decision means this. The main thing is that our points will be restored. With them, we are high in the world rankings.

Our men's national team has already returned to third place in the official FIVB ranking (352.1 points), second only to Poland (377.54) and Italy (367.53). The women's national team is in ninth position in the same table (277.59).

Olympic champion Sergey Tetyukhin said that the FIVB's position reflects the thesis "sport is out of politics."

"Everyone is happy and delighted,— Tetyukhin told Izvestia. — As we always said, justice had to be done. For many years, the main motto of the Olympic movement has been "Sport beyond politics." Unfortunately, there has been a lot of politicization in recent years. Now we are all happy. We are grateful to the Minister of Sports and the head of the ROC Mikhail Degtyarev. I think many federations will spread their wings now.

The minister himself noted that more than a dozen sports organizations have already lifted all sanctions against Russians.

"The International Volleyball Federation has allowed all Russian athletes to compete under its auspices without any restrictions. FIVB became the 11th international sports federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which opened admission to Russian athletes. It is important that the federations immediately after the IOC's decision to restore the status of the Russian Olympic Committee began to implement it. This is an important and logical step," Degtyarev wrote on his Telegram channel.

Earlier, similar decisions were made by the federations of aquatics, gymnastics, wrestling, judo, fencing, taekwondo and weightlifting. In addition, Russians with a flag and anthem are ready to be seen in sambo, kickboxing and Muay Thai - they are recognized by the IOC, but not included in the program of the Games.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called on other federations to also work on the admission of Russian athletes to international competitions.

"You don't have to 'expect', you have to work,— Zakharova told Izvestia.

There are minimal breaks in other game sports so far. For example, the 3x3 youth basketball teams are currently competing in the FIBA Nations League and can qualify for the Youth World Cup, which will be held in China from September 15 to 19.