World Table Tennis Body Reinstates Russian Players With Flag and Anthem

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced Monday that Russian players will again be permitted to compete under their national flag and anthem. The reinstatement applies to both individual and team events, as well as athletes with physical impairments, and takes effect on July 28, the ITTF said in a statement.

The organization emphasized that the decision does not diminish its support for Ukraine or concern for those affected by the conflict. The ITTF remains committed to supporting the table tennis community in Ukraine through various channels.

The move follows the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision last week to provisionally reverse its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to provide "equal access" for Russian athletes ahead of qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games and the 2028 Winter Youth Olympics in Italy. After the IOC decision, the International Volleyball Federation also reinstated Russian teams and officials.

The IOC ban was originally imposed in October 2023 when the ROC began including sports organizations in occupied Ukraine as its own members. The IOC said Russia has since assured it does not and will not conduct any activities in these territories.

The ITTF said its decision is contingent on foreign governments granting visas to Russian athletes and the athletes passing anti-doping regulations. The federation added that while Russian athletes can compete under national symbols at ITTF events, this does not automatically mean the Russian flag and anthem will be featured at the 2028 Olympics.