World Rowing is playing the neutrality card. The FI announced to the TASS news agency that it remains committed to its position regarding the conditions of participation of Russian rowers They can compete in international competitions, but still under neutral statusLifting these restrictions is therefore not on the agenda, despite recent recommendations from the IOC.
« World Rowing has taken note of the IOC Executive Board's decision of July 7 concerning the Russian Olympic Committee and its recommendations to international federations. The World Rowing competition eligibility system, established by our Executive Board and updated in February 2026, already allows athletes of Russian or Belarusian nationality to compete as individual neutral athletes (AIN) in all world rowing competitions, subject to the strict adherence to the conditions of neutralityThis system remains unchanged and will continue to function. " explains the FI.
« We intend to address the issue of our athletes' participation under the flag and with the anthem at the next meeting of the executive committee of the international federation, which will be held at the end of August in the Netherlands as part of the World Championships " commented the president of the Russian Rowing Federation, Alexei Svirin, to RIA Novosti.
