The World Sailing Federation has reaffirmed its stance on the war in Ukraine, which it made clear in March 2022, and extended the suspensions. Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials are therefore still not allowed to take part in relevant World Sailing events, activities or conferences. This was decided by the member associations of World Sailing with a majority of 75 per cent of the votes cast at the beginning of the war.
The participation of boats owned, controlled or managed by Russian or Belarusian persons or organisations is also prohibited. World Sailing recommends that member federations, class associations, affiliated organisations and all event organisers continue to take the same measures.
Will Russian athletes be allowed to compete at the 2024 Olympics?
Where this is not possible for organisational or legal reasons, the World Sailing Federation advises organisers to do everything in their power to ensure that Russian or Belarusian sailors, officials or boats participate neutrally and without national symbols, colours, flags or anthems.
This is also the only opportunity for Russian or Belarusian athletes to take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Russia's national colours will therefore not be represented by any athletes or teams at the sailing competitions off Marseille. There will also be no flags or banners, as France's President Emmanuel Macron recently announced. However, cancelling the Games is not an option, according to IOC President Thomas Bach.
In addition, the Russian Olympic Committee is no longer authorised to operate as a National Olympic Committee within the meaning of the Olympic Charter and cannot receive funding from the Olympic Movement.
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Max Gasser
Editor Test & Technology
