The IOC announced on Thursday that athletes from Belarus can again compete under their national identity. They no longer need to undergo neutral-status vetting, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the ITF made it clear that this decision will not change tennis\u2019s existing restrictions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe International Tennis Federation confirms that the IOC\u2019s announcement does not change its existing position regarding the Belarus and Russian Tennis Federations\u2019 suspensions, which remain in place,\u201d the ITF stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The governing body added that the issue will be reviewed later this year. \"The membership status of the Belarus Tennis Federation will be considered at the ITF Annual General Meeting in October by the ITF\u2019s voting member nations (\"The AGM Council\u201d) in accordance with ITF constitutional process,\" it further added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since the conflict began, players from Belarus and Russia have competed without their national flags or country names in tournaments. Both nations have also been barred from major team competitions, including the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. Tournaments scheduled in the two countries were cancelled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The governing body added that the issue will be reviewed later this year. \"The membership status of the Belarus Tennis Federation will be considered at the ITF Annual General Meeting in October by the ITF\u2019s voting member nations (\"The AGM Council\u201d) in accordance with ITF constitutional process,\" it further added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IOC decided on Thursday to lift the ban on Belarusian sportspersons from participating under their flag and country's name in events conducted by International Sports Federations (IFs). The IOC took the decision after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, with the International Judo Federation and the International Swimming Federation (FINA) following suit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n