The BWF recognizes that it is regrettable that badminton players are not being allowed to freely participate due to geopolitical conflicts and government interference.
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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has maintained its ruling that athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus are not permitted to compete in its events. The announcement followed a BWF Council Meeting where it was decided that the ban should continue. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendation from last month that allowed Russians and Belarusians to return to international competitions. However, the condition stated that they would be back as neutrals and shouldn’t be involved in the military.
Following the invasion of Ukraine, the BWF first suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in March 2022. It has since maintained this policy. The BWF stated in a statement that, despite the current crisis between Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, participant safety concerns had not been exaggerated. Sport shouldn’t be used as a political tool to sway geopolitics, according to the BWF. However, it should promote peace and unity among all people. The basic premise should be that athletes should always be able to compete in sporting events. It should be regardless of their passport status or any geopolitical crisis outside the control of the sports movement.
The IOC has not yet decided whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics as neutrals or under the flags of their respective nations. Russian and Belarussian athletes continue to be barred from participating in team sports. Based on the outcomes of competitions held between May 1, 2023, and April 28, 2024, the Paris ranking lists will determine who will receive quota spots in the singles and doubles badminton events.
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The BWF recognizes that it is regrettable that badminton players are not being allowed to freely participate due to geopolitical conflicts and government interference. However, it accepts that this is the reality it currently faces. The BWF is attempting to fulfill its role of safeguarding the integrity of competitions and ensuring the safety of all athletes. The BWF is not persuaded that there is sufficient justification to lift the bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials at this time. This is owing to the risks to athletes and events that could result from reopening participation. It also includes the steps needed for obtaining more clarity on the IOC’s complicated eligibility requirements.
The BWF emphasized that sports shouldn’t be used as a tool for governments to intervene in and prevent athletes from taking part in athletic events. By doing so, it undermines the sport’s capacity to encourage unity and cross-cultural understanding. The BWF recognized the recently proposed framework of the IOC. The framework will enable competitors from Russia and Belarus to get back to participating if international federations approve such inclusion.
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