Exclusion to continue through 2026
Following a World Curling (Federation) board meeting earlier this week, the board voted to continue the exclusion of Russian athletes from World Curling’s adult competitions for the remainder of 2026.
As reported almost exclusively by The Curling News, World Curling has been under increasing pressure from Russia to allow the nation’s non-junior athletes back into competition.
Consequently, member nations that oppose any reinstatement, led by Ukraine, have been determined in their opposition.
“When making this decision, the Board considered the recent International Olympic Committee guidance, as well as feedback from the World Curling membership and the 2026 event hosts,” World Curling said in a statement.
Anil Mungal-The Curling News“The Board is strongly convinced that the reintroduction of the Russian adult athletes would present significant challenges to the integrity of the competitions and therefore it is not viable to change the current position.
“The Board has the indisputable (sic) obligation to uphold the integrity of the competitions and to make sure that they take place in a safe and fair environment. The Board noted that the Russian Curling Federation has an ongoing case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding their exclusion from competition and a ruling by CAS is expected shortly.”
Russia recently launched a CAS action against the International Ice Hockey Federation, seeking to overturn that governing body’s continued exclusion policy.
