International Athletics and Tennis Federations Not Yet Lifting Restrictions on Belarusians
The World Athletics Federation (World Athletics) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have announced their decisions not to heed the recommendation issued on May 7 by the International Olympic Committee regarding the lifting of the international ban on Belarusian athletes.

World number one, Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka. Photo: Christophe Ena / AP
World Athletics stated that they currently see no sufficient grounds to change their position. According to representatives of the organization, the issue may only be reviewed when there are real signs of progress towards peace negotiations in Ukraine.
The association emphasized that its council unanimously supported the decision to suspend, adopted back in March 2022 and later confirmed in 2023 and 2025.
The International Tennis Federation also issued a similar statement.
“The IOC statement does not change our position on the suspension of the Belarusian and Russian federations — the sanctions remain in force,” the ITF stated.
After the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were effectively banned from most international sports competitions. However, individual athletes could participate in tournaments under neutral status if they did not support the war.
On May 7, the International Olympic Committee recommended that international federations allow Belarusian athletes to compete under the state flag and with the anthem. At the same time, restrictions against Russia remained.
Comments