FIBA has announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes can return to international 3x3 basketball competitions under a neutral flag. This decision reverses the suspension imposed in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, which had barred teams from both countries from participating in FIBA events.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as neutral individuals, meaning they cannot represent their nations through flags, anthems, or official designations. The move signals a shift in FIBA's policy while maintaining restrictions on national representation.
The return is conditional on compliance with FIBA's integrity and eligibility requirements. The organization emphasized that the decision aligns with broader efforts to reintegrate athletes from suspended nations in individual capacities, provided they do not actively support military actions.