On January 31, 2026, World Taekwondo approved the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competition under the flags of their countries and the use of national symbols, spanning all age categories.
The decision was taken at the first meeting of the World Taekwondo Council in 2026. It aligns with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee regarding easing sanctions against Russian and Belarusian teams: the IOC allowed youth national teams to compete at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar under their national flags.
At the same time, the restrictions on hosting international competitions on Russian soil and the ban on issuing accreditation to officials from aggressor countries remained unchanged.
In addition to taekwondo, athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to compete under their own flags in sambo and judo in all age categories, and in chess, fencing, and volleyball – only at the youth level.
By contrast, the International Ice Hockey Federation kept sanctions against Russia’s and Belarus’s national teams at the youth level.
Such a decision could significantly affect athletes’ preparation and their status on the international stage, as well as impact the image of the respective federations and their upcoming competition plans.
Key Implications for Sports Federations and Athletes
The changes open the path for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under the flags of their countries in larger international tournaments under the new rules, while simultaneously leaving restrictions in other disciplines and at certain levels of competition. The impact of such a decision will be evident in both athletes’ preparation and the overall image of the federations and their plans for future seasons.
World Taekwondo has allowed Russians and Belarusians to compete under their own flags.