— Published January 21, 2025

Canoeing opens up to Russia again

Russia

Russian sport is regaining some ground. Russia has won the Green light from the International Canoe Federation (ICF) to re-enter international slalom competitions, TASS reports. The affected athletes will compete under a neutral status, in accordance with the IOC's recommendations. A small victory for Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, who in December called on the world of sport to no longer marginalize its athletes : "It is high time that members of international sports organisations stopped their aggressive rhetoric. Many of them, including IOC members, have long understood that International sport without Russia's participation is simply not the same. In numerous informal contacts, they keep saying openly that they want Russia back." The International Skating Union (ISU) also recently authorized the return of Russian skaters under a neutral banner with a view to qualifying for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.