WBSC statement on Belarusian or Russian Youth Athlete Participation

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Executive Board has approved the participation of youth athletes holding a Russian or Belarusian passport in WBSC-sanctioned competitions following the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee, which reaffirmed that youth athletes should have access to international sport free from political interference.

Accordingly, the WBSC Executive Board has decided to lift all previously applied restrictions for youth athletes up to the age of 18 and only within WBSC-sanctioned competitions, in line with WBSC regulations.

The other sanctions implemented on 28.02.2022 remain in place. These sanctions include no WBSC events to be staged in Russia and Belarus nor to allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes (apart from youth athletes after this latest announcement) and officials in international competitions.