UWW Restores Flags and Anthems for Russia and Belarus Across All Levels

Overview

• Wrestlers from Russia and Belarus will now compete under their national flags across all categories, with their anthems played at medal ceremonies.
• Teams may display the abbreviations RUS and BLR on uniforms under the updated United World Wrestling rules.
• The move caps a step-by-step rollback that began with 2022 bans, shifted to neutral status, then to UWW-flag entries in 2025, and expanded youth flag use in January 2026.
• Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision and credited President Vladimir Putin as he framed it as a national return to world sport.
• Other federations have eased limits as well, including judo and several combat sports, with World Aquatics allowing Russian symbols and many junior events in sports like weightlifting and fencing already open.