Predictable. With the Paris 2024 Games now in the rearview mirror, the Olympic movement is preparing to ease its eligibility criteria for neutral athlete status for Russian and Belarusian athletes. The World Wrestling Union (UWW) took the lead by adopting, at the last meeting of its executive board, on Tuesday, September 24, an update of its criteria in view of the upcoming international competitions. As of the upcoming tournaments, " Only evidence of direct military participation in the war against Ukraine or public statements – written or oral – in support of the war and/or its promoters or participants will be taken into account to declare an athlete ineligible”, the body explains. In short, membership in an army or security forces club will no longer be considered an obstacle to obtaining neutral athlete status. The UWW specifies that it will re-examine, according to these new criteria, all cases of Russian and Belarusian wrestlers previously declared ineligible. But it emphasizes that the athletes selected will continue to compete under a neutral flag, without the national anthem in the event of victory.
