World Archery just reinstated Russia’s flag and anthem, despite its killing more than 760 Ukrainian athletes and coaches since 2022

An international sports body has welcomed Russia back under its flag while Russia keeps killing Ukraine's athletes and civilians. The World Archery Federation has lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete with their country's identity, including under the Russian flag and anthem, the federation announced.

Russia has killed more than 760 Ukrainian athletes and coaches since the start of the full-scale war, with many others made refugees or losing loved ones to strikes on civilians, and some who took up arms without combat experience. Among them is Ukrainian archer Oleksandr Onyshchuk, a master of sport and European champion, killed fighting the occupiers.

What World Archery decided

The federation acted on an Olympic ruling. Its Executive Board met online on 14 August to review the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) 7 July decision, which confirmed that earlier recommendations restricting Russian athletes no longer applied, then lifted the restrictions on Russian athletes, teams, and officials at its events.

The Russians may now compete fully. They can take part under their national flag and anthem at events including the Archery World Cup and World Championships, and the 2022 restrictions on the Russian flag and anthem were removed, in line with a similar decision on Belarus in May. The federation said participation remains subject to standard eligibility, anti-doping, host-country, and visa requirements, and that it supports the Ukrainian archery community and all affected by the war.

Ukraine calls it sportswashing

For Ukraine, the reinstatement serves Russia's propaganda. Allowing Russian athletes into international competition is a means of sportswashing, spreading disinformation, and legitimizing the aggression against Ukraine before foreign audiences, while presenting Russia as still part of the civilized world.

Ukraine also points to who Russia sends. Ukrainian intelligence has documented Russian athletes who are direct participants in the war, including a lieutenant colonel in Russia's armed forces and a deputy brigade commander who competed internationally, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence.

Ukraine's National Olympic Committee called the IOC decision behind the reinstatement premature and unjustified and has appealed it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The archery ruling arrives as Russia's strikes keep killing Ukrainian civilians and athletes in the war that the returning competitors' flag represents.