Russian athletes

Wayne Gretzky supports ban on Russian hockey players

One of the greatest hockey players in history, Wayne Gretzky, said he supports Canadian PM Mark Carney’s decision to bar Russian and Belarusian national teams from the World Junior Championship, Canadian outlet TSN reported on Nov. 6.

7 November, 01:22 AM

European archery federation lifts restrictions on Russian athletes for 2027

The European archery federation (WAE) has lifted all restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete in international competitions starting January 1, 2027, the organization announced in an October 31 statement.

5 November, 02:03 PM

Russia’s return to hockey rattles major sponsors

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is facing a serious challenge over Russia’s possible return to international competition, The Athletic reported on Nov. 4.

5 November, 01:39 AM

European Commission opposes Russia’s return to hockey

The European Union does not support the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions while the war against Ukraine continues, European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said on Nov. 3.

3 November, 09:29 PM

World Hockey Championship sponsor Tipsport threatens ad boycott over Russia

Czech betting giant Tipsport threatened to pull its ads from any World Championship games featuring Russia, outlet iDNES.cz reported on Nov. 2.

2 November, 12:26 PM

Russian attack damages Ukrainian fencing champion's home as she travels to tournament to face Russian athletes

Ukrainian fencer Vlada Kharkova’s building in Kyiv was damaged in a Russian airstrike, she said in an Instagram post on Oct. 15.

15 October, 03:12 PM

Two-time world champion from Russia barred from Croatia

Russia’s Ekaterina Selezneva, a two-time world champion in rhythmic gymnastics, was unable to fly to Croatia because she was refused permission to enter the country, she said on Instagram on Oct. 8.

9 October, 01:54 PM

FIBA clears Russian, Belarusian basketball players

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian players, coaches, referees, commissioners, and other officials, allowing them to participate in FIBA competitions.

2 September, 02:14 AM

Czech youth teams boycott European Flag Football Championship over Russian teams

Two Czech youth national teams will not participate in the European Flag Football Championship due to the admission of Russian national teams into the tournament, the Czech Association of American Football announced via Sport.cz on Aug. 27.

27 August, 11:45 AM

IIHF bars Russia from 2026-27 World Hockey Championships

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided not to allow Russian national teams to take part in World Championship tournaments in any age category for the 2026-27 season, the federation said on July 30.

31 July, 04:26 AM

Russian tennis player banned for nearly 5 years for anti-corruption violations

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has disqualified Russian tennis player Anastasia Sukhotina for multiple violations of anti-corruption rules, according to a statement on the agency's official website on July 29.

30 July, 02:22 PM

FIFA to review possible return of Russian teams after IOC recommendation

No Russian team has taken part in international football competitions since FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia’s national teams and clubs after the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

8 July, 10:10 AM

Ukrainian fighter Kyrylo Kyselyov destroys Russian rival in European MMA final - video

A gold medal in the U-20 Amateur MMA pankration division was spectacularly secured against a Russian opponent by Ukrainian fighter Kyrylo Kyselyov during the European martial arts championship in Yerevan.

5 June, 09:19 AM

International Fencing Federation restores Russia and Belarus under flags and anthems

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has lifted restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus, allowing them to compete under their national flags, in national uniforms and with their anthems played starting at the 2026 world championships, according to the decision published on the federation’s official website on June 2.

2 June, 07:07 PM

IOC keeps sanctions on Russian athletes, reinstates Belarus

The International Olympic Committee will keep in place all restrictions on Russian participation in international sport while continuing a “constructive dialogue” with Russian officials, the IOC said in a statement on May 7.

7 May, 10:54 PM

U.S. court rejects Ukrainian tennis player’s suit against WTA

A U.S. federal judge in Manhattan dismissed a lawsuit by Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko against the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and its former chief Steve Simon, Reuters reported on March 26.

27 March, 12:39 AM

Ukraine to boycott 2026 Paralympics closing ceremony

Ukraine will boycott the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on March 15, due to the presence of Russian and Belarusian athletes with their national flags, the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine announced.

15 March, 09:10 PM

Ukrainian flag carried at Paralympics opening despite Kyiv’s request

The Ukrainian flag was carried into the arena during the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games opening ceremony in Verona, Italy, after Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee asked that it not be used.

7 March, 02:24 AM

Ukrainian boxer rejects $100k fight with Russian-born opponent

Ukrainian junior welterweight boxer Danylo Lozan (15-1, 9 KOs) has revealed that he declined a lucrative title fight against a Russian-born opponent, despite a final offer reaching $100,000.

27 February, 11:02 AM

FM Sybiha calls for boycott of Paralympics opening ceremony

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he has instructed Ukrainian ambassadors to ask officials in countries where they serve not to take part in the Paralympic Games’ opening ceremony unless the International Paralympic Committee reverses its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.

19 February, 02:16 AM

Russian athletes

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