The World Taekwondo (WT) has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international tournaments. This move aligns with a similar decision by the International Olympic Committee, permitting junior and senior athletes from the two countries to participate under their national flags. Existing restrictions remain in place.
The World Taekwondo (WT) announced the decision following an extraordinary council meeting in the United Arab Emirates. According to the WT website, junior and senior athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete in international tournaments under their respective national flags.
Existing restrictions will remain unchanged, including the ban on Russia hosting international sports events and the denial of accreditation to government officials from the two countries. The decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) permission for Russian and Belarusian youth athletes to participate in the Dakar 2024 Youth Olympic Games under their national flags.
WT President Choue Chung-won was pictured waving at the federation's general assembly in Wuxi, China, on Oct. 23. This move reflects a broader trend in international sports toward easing sanctions on athletes from Russia and Belarus. The announcement was made on the WT website on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.