Russia expands regional sports governance with new four-region integration

The State Duma of the Russian Federation has taken the initial step toward a broad consolidation of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, into Russia’s existing framework for physical education and sport. The newly proposed law outlines how these four areas can participate in the sport system as equal players within the national infrastructure. It specifies that delegates from these regions will have the right to establish regional sports federations and to affiliate with all of Russia’s federations. This move aims to integrate the sports governance of the four territories into the current federal structure, creating pathways for regional organizations to collaborate with national bodies in the realm of sport and athletic development. The measure also provides for the use of sports facilities in the newly integrated regions to host and stage competitions, ensuring that venues, clubs, and leagues under the national system can operate seamlessly across the expanded geographic footprint. This is presented as a practical step to unify administration, coaching standards, and competition calendars under a single, cohesive national sport program. In the broader international sports landscape, the status of athletes from these regions has long been a point of contention. In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee urged international federations to suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from participation in global events, reflecting concerns about ongoing tensions and the impact on fair competition. Subsequently, during a meeting of the IOC Executive Board on March 28, guidance was issued that suggested allowing Russian athletes to participate under neutral status, provided they did not actively support or participate in hostilities. This neutral status excludes athletes affiliated with law enforcement and military units from competition, signaling a distinction between civilian athletes and those connected to security services. The current discussion around BRICS-related sporting ambitions includes a reference to proposals for a BRICS Games, a potential multi-sport event, with talks indicating an interest in hosting such an event in Russia in 2024. The unfolding policy developments illustrate an ongoing effort to align regional governance with national sports policy, while also navigating the complex international environment that shapes eligibility, competition rules, and opportunities for athletes across the country. The integrated framework would potentially streamline the organizational landscape for sports at the regional level, enabling a more unified approach to talent development, federation accreditation, and event planning. By granting regional bodies in the four new territories access to the same federation networks and administrative mechanisms as other Russian regions, stakeholders anticipate clearer governance, standardized coaching qualifications, and more consistent funding allocations across the entire federation system. Observers note that this approach could help align regional participation with national strategic objectives, including youth development programs, high-performance pathways, and compliance with national anti-doping measures and safety standards. Moreover, the policy aim appears to harmonize facility usage rights, scheduling, and infrastructural upgrades, ensuring that venues in the new regions can support a full spectrum of competitive sports—from amateur leagues to elite championship events. The broader intent is to create a seamless sports ecosystem that transcends regional boundaries while maintaining rigorous oversight and accountability under federal sport authorities. In summary, the proposed legislation represents a step toward broader regional integration within Russia’s sports governance, enabling the four newly incorporated regions to feed talent, resources, and organizational capacity into the national system. It reflects an effort to balance local autonomy with national coherence, aligning regional federations with the standards and protocols that govern sport across the federation and ensuring that facilities and events can be utilized consistently across the expanded footprint. As the legislative process continues, stakeholders will likely monitor how these changes interact with international policies and the evolving dynamics of global sport governance, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical considerations and the administration’s broader strategic aims for sport in the country. At a glance, the measure underscores a commitment to unified administration, standardized competition, and the practical implications of administering sport across a broader geographic expanse, with an eye toward sustaining competitive integrity and opportunity for athletes in all regions. Attribution: policy briefing and government action summaries.