Badminton World Federation maintains disqualification of Belarusians, Russians

April 20, BPN. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has maintained its disqualification of Belarusian and Russian athletes and officials from international tournaments, the federation’s press office reports.

“The decision last March to support the unified approach of the sports movement to not allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions due to fears over participants’ safety is a position still largely enforced by many federations,” it said in a press release.

The BWF recognizes the framework recently suggested by the International Olympic Committee to bring back Belarusians and Russians to international sport, but since it may have repercussions, “is not convinced there is satisfactory justification to lift the suspensions on Russian and Belarussian players and officials at this time.”

In March, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) barred the Belarusian and Russian national teams from competing in the 2024 World Championship, while the World Athletics Council extended the ban on Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions.