Russian athletes

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 accuse IOC of skimping on Olympic goodie bags

Russian athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics as "individual neutral athletes" said they were not given complimentary Samsung phones other participants received, Russian propaganda outlet RBC reported on Feb. 18.

18 February, 08:36 PM

Disqualified Heraskevych shows Kyiv blackout, slams IOC - video

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has returned to Kyiv following his disqualification from the 2026 Winter Olympics.

17 February, 10:14 AM

Ukrainian FM slams FIFA chief over welcoming back Russian clubs

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to lift the ban on Russian clubs in international tournaments, calling those who support the move “moral degenerates.”

3 February, 04:15 AM

Ukrainian player condemns WTA tolerance of Russian tennis players

Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliinykova, whose father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke about her attitude toward the participation of Russian players in WTA tournaments.

19 January, 11:45 AM

Olympic champion slams idea of Russians returning to biathlon

Swedish Olympic champion Sebastian Samuelsson sharply reacted to news about a potential return of Russian biathletes to international competitions in an interview with SVT Sport, published on Dec. 11.

12 December 2025, 02:53 PM

International Judo Federation lifts sanctions on Russian athletes, allowing national flags

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has lifted sanctions and restrictions imposed on Russian athletes in February 2022, allowing representatives of the aggressor state to compete in its tournaments under their national flag and anthem, the organization said in a statement on Nov. 27

27 November 2025, 02:20 PM

Russian swim team skips European championship

The Russian swimming team will not participate in the European Short-Course Swimming Championships to be held in Poland, president of the Russian Aquatics Federation Dmitry Mazepin told Match TV propaganda channel.

24 October 2025, 09:22 AM

Dariia Bulay impresses at European Karate Championships, dedicates run to coach defending Ukraine - video

Ukrainian karateka Dariia Bulay, 18, reached the final of her debut senior European Karate Championships in Yerevan, defeating a Russian athlete and dedicating her success to her coach, fighting in Ukraine’s war, the Ukrainian Karate Federation reported on May 7.

8 May 2025, 06:25 PM

Kasatkina, vocal critic of Russia’s war in Ukraine, announces move to renounce Russian citizenship

Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina, currently ranked No. 12 in the WTA world rankings, announced on March 29 that she is changing her citizenship. Kasatkina shared the news in a post on Instagram.

29 March 2025, 04:46 PM

Russian athletes

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