WDSF Presidium Abolishes Operating Policy Following IOC Directives for Russian Participants

The WDSF Presidium has formally approved a motion to rescind and abolish in its entirety the WDSF Presidium Operating Policy Regarding the IOC Executive Board’s Recommended Conditions of Participation in International Sports Competitions Applicable to WDSF Events by Individual Neutral Athletes, Support Personnel and Officials Holding Russian Passports.

This decision follows the official resolution by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 7 July 2026 to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and to confirm that the recommended conditions of participation and associated protective measures issued in 2022 and 2023 are no longer applicable.

Withdrawal of the Neutrality Framework

As the IOC recommendations that formed the underlying basis of the WDSF Operating Policy have been withdrawn, the Presidium determined that maintaining these specific requirements would no longer reflect the position of the Olympic Movement.

Consequently, with immediate effect:

Termination of Neutral Statuses: All Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) and Official Individual Neutral (OIN) statuses, along with associated screening procedures, declarations and specific participation restrictions established under the Operating Policy, have ceased to have effect.

Application of Standard Governance: Individuals holding Russian passports or sporting nationality will participate in WDSF events under the general regulatory framework applicable to all participants. Entry and eligibility remain subject to the WDSF Statutes, Competition Rules, licensing requirements, disciplinary provisions and anti-doping obligations.

Approval of Specific Anti-Doping Testing Standards

In accordance with the IOC’s recommendation for International Federations to agree with the International Testing Agency (ITA) on an overall testing programme, the WDSF Presidium has simultaneously approved targeted Anti-Doping Testing Standards for athletes holding Russian passports or sporting nationality.

These standards establish the regulatory framework under which WDSF, in coordination with the ITA, will enforce:

Mandatory inclusion criteria for in-competition testing pools at WDSF events.
Enhanced testing measures and independent supervision protocols for competitions organised within the territory of the Russian Federation.
Continuous review mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA requirements and applicable International Standards.

WDSF remains committed to upholding the fundamental principles of Olympism, safeguarding the integrity of DanceSport and maintaining a safe, transparent and fair environment for all competitors worldwide.