FISU Reinstates Belarusian Athletes, Eases Russian Student Participation Rules
FISU Policy Changes on Belarusian and Russian Athletes
May 26 (Reuters) - The International University Sports Federation (FISU) said on Tuesday it was fully reinstating athletes from Belarus and easing restrictions on Russian competitors kept out of events due to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Alignment with International Olympic Committee Policies
The Federation, in a statement on its website, said it was acting in line with policy adopted by the International Olympic Committee and international federations governing individual sports. Several sports federations have adopted similar stands.
Immediate Reinstatement for Belarusian Athletes
"The International University Sports Federation Executive Committee has decided today to reinstate student-athletes with a Belarusian passport at all its events with immediate effect, in line with the IOC’s 7 May 2026 recommendations," it said.
Complex Status for Russian Competitors
It described the position of Russian competitors as "more complex" -- as the IOC had not lifted restrictions on senior athletes -- and introduced "a uniform eligibility framework".
Neutral Status and Eligibility Framework
That meant that the neutral status imposed by some federations on athletes would be "the maximum restriction applicable at any FISU event". In those sports where federations had reinstated Russian athletes, it would do the same.
"Russian student-athletes may therefore, depending on the sport and the applicable IF position, be eligible to participate at FISU events under full national conditions," the FISU said.
Reactions and Broader Context
Russian and Belarusian Officials Respond
Mikhail Degtyarev, Russian sports minister and head of the national committee, congratulated Belarusian athletes and wrote on Telegram: "FISU is continuing consistently to ease conditions for students from Russia. We welcome this."
Background on Previous Restrictions
The IOC had recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials be banned from events since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was used as a staging ground for the invasion.
A small number of vetted athletes were permitted to take part in the Cortina Winter Games as neutrals, but the International Paralympic Committee lifted all restrictions for its events.
Recent Developments in International Sports Federations
In recent weeks, international federations for aquatics, gymnastics, wrestling and modern pentathlon have eased restrictions on athletes from one or both of the countries.
About the FISU and the World University Games
The FISU organises the World University Games - sometimes called the Universiade -- every two years in which thousands of young athletes compete.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski, editing by Deepa Babington)
