As the war entered its fifth year on February 24, when russia invaded Ukraine, the International Bowling Federation announced an eligibility update for IBF Youth events concerning athletes holding russian or belarusian passports.
In alignment with the International Olympic Committee guidance, the IBF confirmed that youth athletes holding russian or belarusian passports will be permitted to compete in IBF Youth events.
The IBF's decision follows decisions made during the 14th Olympic Summit in December 2025, when representatives supported the idea that youth athletes from russia and belarus should no longer be restricted from participating in international youth competitions.
The recommendation applies to both individual and team sports. The IOC further advised that standard international federation protocols should apply. This includes rules related to flags, anthems, uniforms, and team representation, provided that the national sports organisation concerned is in good standing.
According to the IBF, participation of these athletes will be subject to several conditions. The federation must be in good standing with the IBF and its Zone, and all outstanding membership fees, entry fees, and other financial obligations must be fully paid before participation.
The IBF clarified that this decision applies only to IBF Youth events. Any existing measures related to adult or senior competitions remain unchanged. Restrictions concerning government officials also remain in effect.
The decision not to allow any russian or belarusian athletes to participate in IBF events was made in 2022. The brutal war caused by russia has resulted in significant loss of life.
According to official data, more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield. Other Ukrainian sources, cross-referenced by the BBC, suggest the number could be as high as 200,000.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reports that 15,168 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 41,534 wounded during four years of full-scale war, including 3,018 child casualties.
The war is considered Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II.
In 2022, Russian Bowling Federation president Sergey Lisitsyn took part in a pro-war rally in Moscow on March 18, where he openly supported Putin and the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine. During that rally, he made statements justifying Russia’s actions and accusing the West of spreading Russophobia.
"We see that the special operation being carried out today on Ukrainian soil allows us to achieve our goals with minimal losses for our fraternal peoples," Lisitsyn said, per Inside the Games "Given the unprecedented external pressure from the West, which for eight years condoned the flourishing of Nazism in Ukraine, today we clearly understand that the special operation was just an excuse to replicate Russophobic sentiments and escalate the situation around Russia and everything Russian."
