Claire Egan, who leads the IBU athletes’ commission, explains that most biathletes favor the suspension of Russian and Belarusian competitors. In April, the IBU ran an anonymous survey inviting every active athlete to participate. Approximately 160 responses came in from representatives across 31 countries, and around seven in ten supported continuing the suspension. Egan emphasized that her duty is to reflect the majority view held by athletes and that the IBU has a clear stance on the matter, as stated publicly.
Earlier, the IBU had announced a policy last spring allowing Belarusian and Russian biathletes to compete in World Cup events and IBU stages solely as neutral athletes. This approach led to several Russian athletes choosing not to participate in those events. In September, the IBU extended the suspension period, reinforcing the policy.
In late March, the International Olympic Committee urged that Russians be granted neutral status provided they do not actively support the conflict. This recommendation added another layer to the ongoing debate about eligibility and neutrality in international sport.
Historically, the discussion has centered on how to balance sanction timing with athletes’ rights, ensuring a fair and consistent application of neutrality rules across competitions. The current stance reflects a broader commitment to upholding sport as a neutral arena while recognizing the diverse opinions of athletes, national federations, and the wider sporting community.
Across the sport world, voices continue to call for clarity and unity in policy, with administrators and athletes alike seeking transparent criteria that guide participation, eligibility, and the role of neutrality in international competition. The IBU remains focused on implementing its policies in a way that preserves competitive integrity while respecting the perspectives of athletes from many nations.