ITTF Confirms Reinstatement of Russian Athletes Across All Sanctioned Events
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Executive Board has confirmed that athletes holding Russian passports will be reinstated for participation in ITTF-sanctioned table tennis and Para table tennis events, with the decision taking effect on 28 July 2026.
The decision was made during an online meeting of the Executive Board on 10 July, following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board’s decision on 7 July to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and confirm that previous IOC recommendations regarding the participation of Russian athletes and teams in international sport are no longer applicable.
In reaching its decision, the ITTF Executive Board also took into account its recent reinstatement of athletes holding Belarusian passports, as well as the principles of equal treatment of athletes and the need for participation restrictions to remain necessary, proportionate and objectively justified.
From 28 July, athletes holding Russian passports will be eligible to compete under the same conditions as all other athletes in both individual and team events at ITTF-sanctioned competitions.
The ITTF confirmed that all participants, including athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel, delegations, Member Associations and event organisers, will continue to be subject to the Federation’s existing regulations governing eligibility, event entry, accreditation, anti-doping, integrity, safeguarding, disciplinary matters and competition requirements.
In line with the IOC’s decision, athletes returning to international competition will also be required to satisfy all applicable anti-doping obligations, including appropriate testing arrangements conducted under the ITTF’s testing programme agreed with the International Testing Agency.
The Federation emphasised that the reinstatement remains subject to all applicable laws and regulations, including host-country entry requirements, visa restrictions, sanctions regimes, public authority instructions, security assessments, accreditation requirements and competition rules.
The ITTF also noted that the decision does not affect matters falling within the jurisdiction of the IOC or other competent organisations relating to the Olympic Games or other third-party events.
These include issues concerning Olympic accreditation, quota allocation, delegation status, participation conditions, and the use of flags, anthems, colours, uniforms and national symbols.
The Federation said it will now begin implementing the decision across its competition systems, including entry and accreditation procedures, rankings and results platforms, event documentation and communications with stakeholders.
While confirming the reinstatement, the ITTF reaffirmed its solidarity with the Ukrainian table tennis community, acknowledging the continuing impact of the war on Ukrainian athletes, coaches, officials, clubs and families.
The Federation stated that the decision does not diminish its support for Ukraine or its concern for those affected by the conflict and that it remains committed to assisting the Ukrainian table tennis community through a range of support initiatives.
The ITTF added that it will continue to monitor developments and assess any legal, governance, operational, anti-doping, integrity, security, host-country, Olympic-related or competition implications that may arise for the sport.
