Change of course for the International Badminton Federation (BWF) on the Russian and Belarusian question. After having decided to maintain their exclusion from international competitions, the body now announces that it is considering their reinstatement. But she will do it under conditions. In a press release published Wednesday May 31 on its website, the BWF explains that its council, meeting at the very beginning of the week, discussed the matter. To finally decide to propose a “ regulatory and operational framework » for a return of Russian and Belarusian players, under neutral status, to international tournaments. The body explains that it wants to align itself with the position of the IOC, according to which athletes “ should always be allowed to participate in sports competitions without their passport being judged and regardless of any geopolitical conflict beyond the control of the sports movement. » That being said, no timetable has been communicated by the BWF for a return of athletes from the two countries at war with Ukraine. The issue will be discussed again at the next council meeting, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Badminton Worlds, from August 21 to 27 in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the meantime, Russian and Belarusian players remain at the door.
