Participation in International Tournaments in Russia – World Friendship Games 2024

At its meeting on 2 March 2024, the BWF Council approved a policy regarding the participation in the World Friendship Games 2024, a multi-sport games being hosted in Russia in September 2024 where badminton is one of the sports.

This policy is in line with the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Council strongly advises Member Associations not to enter players into this multi-sport event. The background and rationale for the policy is explained below.

Background to the Policy

 In formulating this policy, the BWF Council relied on its current position related to the participation of tournaments in Russia.

1. In February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the IOC issued recommendations that no international sporting event should be organised in Russia. This recommendation was followed by the BWF Council decision to cancel tournaments in Russia with immediate effect and not to sanction any tournaments in Russia until further notice (BWF announcements – 28 February 2022 (announcement) and 1 March 2022 (announcement). This decision is still in force.
2. The World Friendship Games 2024 is not a BWF sanctioned tournament and therefore BWF does not recognise the badminton competition as part of its international calendar of events for 2024.
3. On 11 November 2023, the BWF Council suspended the National Badminton Federation of Russia (NBFR) (announcement). The confirmation of NBFR’s suspension is on the agenda of the BWF AGM as a Council proposal. The agenda provides more information on the background to the suspension and the Council recommendation to the membership to confirm the suspension of the NBFR (see AGM agenda – Item 4.5).

As per the above, the BWF Council strongly advises Member Associations not to enter players into this competition. The BWF may impose sanctions on players / Member Associations for participating in non-sanctioned events under the General Competition Regulations.

Contact Person

 Please contact Thomas Delaye, Head of Legal and Governance ([email protected]) if you have any questions on the policy.