Sanctions Against Belarusian Biathletes Remain In Effect

• 18.09.2026, 12:59

The IBU didn't even bring up the issue of their return to international competition.

The Congress of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) did not consider the issue of allowing Belarusians and Russians to participate in competitions organized under the auspices of the organization, said the head of the press service of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBI) Sergey Averyanov.

The 17th IBU Congress is taking place from September 17 to 20, 2026, in Berchtesgaden, Germany. It was initially reported that the IBU had not included the issue of the return of Belarusian and Russian biathletes on the Congress agenda.

“The issue was not included in the Congress agenda, which was made public a month ago. There were no last-minute proposals to add it to the agenda during the Congress itself. The 2022 IBU Congress decision to suspend the Russian Biathlon Union and the Belarusian Biathlon Federation remains in effect,” said Sergey Averyanov.

She also noted that the Congress decided to extend the mandate of the IBU Executive Board, which allows this body to reinstate the Russians and Belarusians at any time before the next meeting, provided the appropriate conditions arise.