The World Taekwondo Federation has expanded the admission of Russian athletes

The World Taekwondo Federation (WT) has allowed neutral athletes to participate in international competitions recognized by the organization. In April 2023 they were allowed participation in competitions only under the auspices of WT. Neutral status allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international tournaments.

“The Council unanimously approved the participation of individual neutral athletes in competitions recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation, with immediate effect if the athletes have already been found eligible for competitions held under the auspices of the WT, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee,” it says decision Council of the organization following the meeting on January 10.

According to the IOC recommendations, neutral athletes, in particular, are prohibited from “actively” supporting a military special operation and belonging to the Russian armed forces and “national security agencies.” Additionally, “individual neutral athletes and their support personnel must refrain from any activity or communication related to the national flag, anthem, emblem or any other symbol of the Russian Federation, Belarus, their National Federations or National Olympic Committees, or support for the fighting in Ukraine (including the Z symbol, the colors of the St. George ribbon and any other military emblems and slogans) on any official platform or in the media.”

March 28 IOC recommended sports federations allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions in a neutral status, subject to a number of criteria. WT was the first major body to allow neutral athletes to compete. Later, a similar decision was made, in particular, by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), the International Wrestling Federation (World Wrestling), the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

How the Russian Olympic Committee evaluates the recommendations of the IOC is in the Kommersant publication “The Olympic Assembly remained calm”.

Erdni Kagaltynov