Russian, Belarusian youth athletes allowed to participate in ITTF events

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Executive Board has decided that Russian and Belarusian youth athletes may participate in ITTF sanctioned events under standard youth competition protocols.

Shi Xunyao (L) and Lam Yee Lok greet each other after the women's singles round of 128 match between Shi Xunyao of China and Lam Yee Lok of China's Hongkong at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/He Changshan)

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ITTF said the move came "following a review of the evolving international regulatory framework concerning athletes holding Russian and Belarusian passports, including recent developments at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee, and other international federations."

The global table tennis governing body added that the senior neutrality regime remains in force.

"In reaching this decision, the Board recognized that youth and age-group competitions raise distinct legal and governance considerations compared to senior elite sport, warranting a differentiated regulatory approach," read the ITTF's statement.

The 14th Olympic Summit, held in December 2025, supported the IOC Executive Board's recommendation that youth athletes from Russia and Belarus should no longer be restricted from participating in international youth competitions.

World Aquatics has also allowed junior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality to participate on the same basis as their fellow junior athletes.

"The implementation of this decision is subject to the development, formalization and subsequent communication of defined safeguards," the ITTF said.