News
World Rowing Eases Ban
Belarusians and Russians to compete as neutrals
Words: Tom Ransley
World Rowing have eased their ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes. They will allow “a limited number of eligible athletes, holding a Russian or Belarusian passport, to compete as individual neutral athletes in a limited number of boat classes” at four events this season, including the 2023 World Rowing Championships.
Third party background checks and an independent “enhanced anti-doping control process” will be part of the eligibility criteria by which returning athletes will be judged, according to a World Rowing media release. Background checks are intended to ensure reinstated athletes are not associated with, or publicly supporting, the war in Ukraine.