World Athletics has rejected a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee to allow Belarusian athletes back into international competition, maintaining its hardline stance linked to the war in Ukraine.
At a press conference on Thursday, the IOC urged international sports federations to consider lifting restrictions on Belarus while continuing sanctions against Russia. Both nations have largely been excluded from global sport since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The IOC argued that Belarus should now be treated differently because its National Olympic Committee remains “in good standing” and complies with the Olympic Charter. The committee also pointed to ongoing anti-doping concerns surrounding Russia as a reason for maintaining separate treatment between the two countries.
The move is being seen by many observers as a potential first step toward the eventual reintegration of Russian athletes into global sport as well. Earlier this year, IOC president Kirsty Coventry hinted that the issue of Russia’s return could also be revisited in the future.
However, World Athletics has made it clear that it will not follow the IOC’s recommendation. Under the leadership of Sebastian Coe, the governing body has consistently taken one of the toughest positions against both Russia and Belarus, citing not only the invasion of Ukraine but also long-standing concerns over state-sponsored doping in Russian athletics.
Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Coe visited Ukraine and met athletes as well as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reinforcing the federation’s public support for Ukrainian sport.
A World Athletics official reiterated on Thursday that sanctions introduced in March 2022 “excluding Belarusian and Russian athletes, officials and supporting personnel from competition remain in place” and will continue for the foreseeable future.