ISSF allowed Russian shooters to compete in neutral status

The International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) has allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in international competitions in a neutral status. The decision was made by the executive committee of the organization. This was reported press office ISSF yesterday, 25 April.

“At the same time, the Executive Board supports the arguments presented by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the proposed return of athletes. The Executive Committee agreed to establish a special commission to study the timing of the return of athletes under strict conditions,” the ISSF said in a statement.

The ISSF explained that only those athletes who are not associated with the Russian and Belarusian armies or special services will be able to participate in the competition. The federation added that they would work together with the IOC and the Association of International Olympic Summer Sports Federations (ASOIF) on the rules for Russian and Belarusian athletes.

On March 28, the IOC announced the criteria for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions, from which they were suspended in response to the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine. Including the IOC refused “teams made up of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport”, as well as active supporters of the military operation in Ukraine. IOC President Thomas Bach said that active support meant not only open solidarity with the actions of the Russian army, but also “belonging to the armed forces or national security agencies.”

Olesya Pavlenko