WDF upholds suspension for Russian and Belarusian darters for time being

Darters from Russia and Belarus remain unwelcome at WDF tournaments for the time being. Since March 2022, they have been banned by the World Darts Federation from their tournaments.

In the nearly two years since, the WDF has continually scrutinized the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and it has remained a regular topic of conversation at meetings at the federation.

In December 2023, the IOC declared that athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus would be allowed to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral athletes, as long as those athletes did not openly support the war. This announcement included a recommended participation condition, but also stated that it was up to the organizers of international sporting events to look at their own rules and statutes and then decide whether Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to return to their sports.

On this basis, the WDF decided at its first meeting in 2024 to maintain the suspension for the time being. The decision to maintain the suspension was based on a number of factors.

The IOC's statement has been met with much opposition within sports governing circles. According to administrators, the statement does not fulfill the intent of the original suspension.

There have also been calls from Ukrainian athletes to the French president, the mayor of Paris, the French sports minister and the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is with the aim of keeping Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympics as yet.

Based on the IOC's statement and the reactions of other sports federations, the WDF has decided to maintain their position. The WDF board will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any changes.