World Archery says might admit Russian, Belarusian athletes complying with eligibility criteria to int'l competition

MINSK. April 21 (Interfax) - World Archery, the international federation of the Olympic sport of archery, said on Friday it was willing to consider the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition provided that they comply with a number of eligibility criteria.

"During its meeting held in a hybrid format on 20 April 2023, the World Archery executive board discussed in detail the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee to assess a pathway for the return of neutral athletes holding a Russian or Belarussian passport to individual international competition," the federation said in a statement on Friday.

"The board expressed its support and agreed to explore a timeline for the return of these athletes under strict conditions of eligibility, permitting only the reintegration of individuals able to prove neutrality through an independent review process. Further information on this procedure will be provided to delegates at the next World Archery Congress," it said.

The board considered "only individual and not any form of team participation," it said.

"There are also sanctions preventing the hosting of events in the countries and the use of the national flags and anthems of Russia and Belarus at all competitions, which will remain in place," it said.

"World Archery will work in consultation with the International Olympic Committee and the Association for Summer Olympic International Federations to finalize the independent review process necessary to ensure the return of only neutral individuals to events. This process will include an assessment of any link between the individual and the military and security forces. A working group, which will include independent representation, will be established to develop and implement the timeline for this procedure," the federation said.

The board also stipulated that World Archery's member associations in Russia and Belarus must manifest "a clear commitment to cooperate with the process by providing accurate information on individuals when requested, and guarantee that any neutral athlete or support staff would not be subject to sanctions now or in the future."