WDSF Presidium Approves Operating Policy Amendments in Alignment with IOC Guidance on Individual Neutral Athletes
The WDSF Presidium has approved amendments to the WDSF Presidium Operating Policy regarding the Participation by Individual Neutral Athletes, Support Personnel and Officials Holding Russian or Belarusian Passports in WDSF Competitions, following the conclusion of the Presidium voting process.
The amendments have been adopted to ensure continued and full alignment with the conclusions of the 14th Olympic Summit held in Lausanne, as well as subsequent guidance issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In particular, the approved amendments reflect that the IOC Executive Board Recommendations of 28 March 2023 are no longer applicable to competitions for youth and younger age categories. As a result, youth and younger age category competitions, whether individual or team, are not subject to the neutrality framework set out in the Operating Policy and its Annexes.
The amendments further confirm that the neutrality regime remains applicable to all competitions outside youth and younger age categories, including screening procedures, application requirements and related obligations.
In accordance with updated IOC guidance, the revised Operating Policy introduces adjusted competition protocols for Belarusian athletes competing in categories other than youth and younger age categories. These include the designation of a provisional anthem, flag and uniform framework, as set out in a newly introduced Annex IV of the Operating Policy, while preserving neutrality requirementsfor support personnel and officials.
The approved amendments additionally confirm that the IOC recommendation to refrain from organising or supporting international sports events is no longer applicable to Belarus, while remaining applicable to the Russian Federation and occupied territories.
The revised Operating Policy has been amended to ensure clarity, consistency and legal certainty throughout, including the introduction of role-specific mandatory instructions and checklists.
WDSF remains fully committed to upholding Olympic values, safeguarding the integrity of DanceSport and ensuring fair, transparent and politically neutral conditions for all participants.
Developments will continue to be monitored and IOC guidance applied in accordance with established governance procedures.
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