1) This IPF Policy was created and based on the IOC Recommendations for International Federations and International Event Organizers that allow neutral athletes from Russian and Belarus to participate in specific International events. The recommendations were issued by the IOC on 28 March 2023 and the IPF Policy was created by the EC on February 24, 2024.
In compliance with the IOC recommendation, the International World Games Association (IWGA) stated that athletes from Russia and Belarus can take part in qualifying competitions of individual sports on the program of The World Games 2025 that will be held in Chengdu.
2) Additionally, at the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), meaning they competed without a national flag, anthem, or title. They shall do the same at the IPF World Championships in Iceland, as well as the IWGA World Games to be held in Chengdu China.
Prior to the Olympic Games in Paris, AINs were vetted by their sport's international governing body and the IOC to ensure they had not supported the war currently taking place in the Ukraine or had links to military or state security agencies. The IPF has performed the same process. Interestingly enough, 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed across 10 sports, including tennis, canoeing, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, shooting, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting, and wrestling.
For the IPF World Championships that will be held in Iceland, all the AINs from Russia were thoroughly screened and checked by the IPF to ensure they met the established guidelines. In fact, one athlete from Russia was denied as he did not meet the criteria. The same process was followed to allow the Russian athletes to compete in the recent Asian Bench Press Championships that was held this past week in Kyrgyzstan.
3) Regarding the status of officials as athlete support personnel (to include referees):
IOC
The IOC’s recent resolution (Principles Relating to the Implementation of the Participation for Individual Neutral Athletes and their Support Personnel with a Russian or Belarusian Passport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024) mentions supporting specifically AIN athletes and their support personnel.
The Olympic Movement Code in the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (published September 2022) is the set of IOC rules that aims to protect the integrity of sports competitions from manipulation. The code is part of the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics, and is mandatory for all members of the Olympic Movement.
Under Article 1 - Definitions - 1.4 (Participant) - 1.4 b (athlete support personnel) and 1.4c (officials) are defined.
- 1.4 defines the term “participant”.
- 1.4b “athlete support personnel” includes
team officials.
- 1.4c the definition for “officials” defined
includes specifically “referees”.
4) Anti-doping Concerns:
While Anti-doping policies are not the responsibility of national federations, the IPF recognizes the significance of addressing the concerns of IPF Member Nation Federations. matter the IPF understands the importance of The IPF-CCES is aware of AIN athletes nominated for the upcoming 2024 IPF Open Equipped World Championships and has been conducted testing on AIN athletes .
5) On 3 October 2024 the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sports (AIMS) President Stephan Fox sent the IPF a response letter regarding participation of AIN athletes in sports events.
We hope this message addresses any IPF Member Nation Federation concerns. Thank you.
