RULES FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN AND BELARUSIAN ATHLETES IN
ISSF COMPETITIONS

1.

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS AND SCOPE OF APPLICATION

1.1. The present rules (“Rules”) have been adopted by the ISSF Council in response to the war inUkraine, with the objectives of ensuring the integrity and security of sporting competitions and therespect of the Olympic values.
1.2. The Rules shall be applicable to all shooting sport disciplines and all ISSF Competitions.

2.

PARTICIPATION CRITERIA

2.1. Following the recommendations of the IOC Executive Board published on 28 March 2023, the ISSF
enacts these Rules for the participation of athletes of Russian and Belarusian nationality and their coach,trainer, manager, physiotherapist, medical personnel, or any other person assisting them (“SupportPersonnel”) in ISSF competitions.
2.2. Russian and Belarusian athletes can participate in the ISSF competitions only after being granted
an Individual Neutral Athlete (“INA”) status (as defined in Article 3 below) and only individualparticipation can be considered. Therefore, any team (including mixed team and 3-person team)participation is not allowed for any INAs.
2.3. Eligibility of INAs for Multisport Games such as the University Games is decided by the respective
Multisport Games organizer. The ISSF shall only recognize the results of INAs participating in such
Multisport Games if the IOC recommendations and these Rules are fully implemented and respected.
This means that the athletes who are of a Russian or Belarusian nationality may only compete as INAs
under the conditions defined by the IOC and the ISSF and may not participate in any team event.

3.

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

3.1. Athletes of a Russian or Belarussian nationality or Support Personnel cannot be granted the INA
Status and/or compete in ISSF Competition if they do fulfill any of the following circumstances:
3.1.1. Actively support the war (see the definition in the IOC recommendations Version March 28th2023);
3.1.2. Are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies;
3.1.3. Have participated in an event organized by the International Military Sports Council (“CISM”)
since 2015. This ineligibility is based on the fact that the CISM Rule 7.23 provides that only militarystaff on active duty in Armed Forces may take part in competitions organized by CISM.
3.1.4. Are or have been member(s) of the CSKA or Dynamo shooting sport clubs in Russia or member(s)or part of the Sports Committee of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus since the date of thestart of the invasion of Ukraine.
3.2. To be granted INA status applying athletes, like all the other participating athletes, must meet all
anti-doping requirements applicable to them and particularly those set out in the anti-doping rules of theIFs.

4.

APPLICATION PROCESS

4.1. Athletes of Russian and Belarusian nationality and their Support Personnel shall apply to the ISSF
to be allowed to participate in ISSF competitions under munich@issf-sports.org. The process fordefining and selecting INAs and eligible Support Personnel shall be conducted in a fair and transparent
manner to ensure that all athletes are given an equal opportunity to participate in international
competitions.
4.2. The applicants have to submit the information provided in the application form provided by theISSF, including an assurance that all requirements established in these Rules are fulfilled.
4.3. Athletes or Support Personnel applying for participation under the conditions established hereinshall declare that all information provided to the ISSF in course of the application process forparticipation is accurate and that they will not fulfil any of the circumstances mentioned in Article 3.1of these Rules throughout the time of being granted a right to participate in ISSF competitions accordingto these Rules.
4.4. Upon receipt of the application form, the ISSF shall carry out verifications to ensure that theapplicants meet the requirements for the INA status as set out in these Rules. The ISSF can use theassistance of an international independent intelligence agency if needed. The ISSF shall not be
responsible for any competition missed by the athletes and their Support Personnel while theirapplication is being reviewed.
4.5. With regard to the fulfilment of all requirements for participation under these regulations, the ISSF
may consider any evidence provided and all other relevant circumstances, including but not limited topublic statements on social media, participation in pro-war demonstrations or events, the displaying of
any symbols supporting the war in Ukraine, for example, the “Z” symbol.
4.6. Athletes and Support Personnel bear the burden of proof to establish that they fulfill therequirements stipulated in these Rules for participation in ISSF Competitions. The applicable standardof proof shall be beyond reasonable doubt.
4.7. If, after granting the status of eligibility, the ISSF becomes aware of a breach of the Rules orconditions of participation enshrined in these Rules, the ISSF may withdraw the status of eligibility at
any time.

5.

OBLIGATIONS OF RSU AND BSSF

5.1. Russian Shooting Union (“RSU”) and Belarusian Shooting Sport Federation (“BSSF”) shallconfirm in writing that they accept the process established herein and guarantee that they will notdiscriminate anyone for applying to participate as INA or Support Personnel status and that this will nothave any impact on future selections. Also they confirm that they will respect the deadlines of the entries
and the selection process as agreed with them.
5.2. RSU and BSSF shall provide upon ISSF’s request information available to it with respect to thesubmitted applications.
6.

FLAGS
6.1.

Flags of the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus (current or historical) shall not
be raised or displayed at any competition venue, nor in any area where ancillary events are
held, or any other area controlled by the organizer of the ISSF competition.

6.2. Where the use of a flag is necessary to identify INAs (e.g., at ceremonies, protocol events, on-site,
TV/media displays), the ISSF flag shall be used.

7.

ANTHEMS7.1. The national anthems of Russia and Belarus (or any other anthem associated with the RussianFederation or the Republic of Belarus) shall not be played or sung at any time during the ISSF
Competitions in any competition venue, nor in any area where ancillary events are held, or any otherarea controlled by the organizer of the ISSF competitions.
7.2. The anthem to be used to represent any INAs at an official ceremony of an ISSF competition(opening or closing, protocol, medal ceremony, etc.) shall be the ISSF Anthem.

8.

EQUIPMENT, UNIFORMS AND MARKS

8.1. The uniforms (whether competition, warm-up, formal, ceremonial, casual, etc.), clothing,equipment, accessories and personal items belonging to INAs and their Support Personnel that are worn,used and/or displayed at competition venues, or any area where ancillary events are held, or any otherarea controlled by the organizer, shall be plain white in color.
8.2. All clothing and equipment of INAs and their Support Personnel, including but not limited totracksuits, equipment, accessories, weapons, bags, personal items, to be worn or used at the ISSF
Competitions, at the respective venues as well as any other areas controlled by the ISSF or the relevant
competition organizer or associated with the respective ISSF Competition must not contain:
8.2.1. any recognition of or reference to Russia, Belarus, National Olympic Committees (NOCs)
representing any of these countries, the RSU, the BSSF such as a flag, coat of arms or any othernational symbol or emblem, be it official or unofficial, in any language or format;
8.2.2. any commercial or non-commercial emblems or identification of any nationalorganizations or entities in Russia and Belarus;
8.2.3. any expression (message, graphical element, symbol, etc.) with direct or indirect politicalconnotation.
8.3. The uniforms can only have registered trademarks which cannot include any non-sporting brands.
8.4. All above requirements complement ISSF rules applicable to shooting clothing, equipment,weapons, accessories and personal items.
8.5. Any items INAs and their Support Personnel intend to use in relation to ISSF Competitions mustbe submitted to the ISSF equipment control for prior approval of the ISSF at least four weeks before theopening ceremony of the respective ISSF Competition.

9.

DISTINCTIVE NATIONAL SIGNS

9.1. The appearance of all emblems, names, acronyms, colors, flags, codes and anthems linked to Russiaand Belarus or their NFs or NOCs is prohibited at all ISSF competitions.
9.2. Organizers shall withdraw references to Russia and/or Belarus on all documents and publications
in both printed and electronic format, including, but not limited to, start lists, result lists, rankings andTV graphics. The acronym to be used instead of RUS and BLR shall be INA.

9.3. Public displays of the country name or Russian/Belarusian sports organizations are not permitted in
any language or format.

10. MEDIA INTERACTIONS
10.1. INAs and their Support Personnel will not be allowed to go through the mixed zone or to participate
in any press conference during the ISSF competitions. They will also not be allowed to give anyinterviews to media during such competitions.

11. SUPPORT PERSONNEL AND TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
11.1. ISSF reserves the right to limit the number of Support Personnel accompanying the athletes.
11.2. No technical official from Russia or Belarus shall be appointed by the ISSF until further noticeand shall not be allowed to participate in any continental or world judges seminar. The matter of reaccreditation will be handled on a case-by-case basis should this procedure still be in place at the timeof re-accreditation.

12. NO ISSF COMPETITIONS IN RUSSIA OR BLARUS
12.1. No ISSF competitions shall be held in Russia or Belarus.

13. RUSSIAN AND BELARUSIAN GOVERNEMENT OR STATE OFFICIALS
13.1. No Russian and Belarusian government or state official shall be invited to or accredited for ISSF
Competitions.

14. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE OF NATIONALITY AND DUAL PASSPORT HOLDERS
14.1. The ISSF General Regulations contain an established procedure for change of nationality and rules
for athletes who have dual nationality which must be observed also by the athletes of a Russian orBelarussian nationality.
14.2. Athletes with Russian or Belarussian nationality who request to represent another country in ISSF
Competitions need to fulfil all requirements established in these Rules in addition to the requirements
according to the ISSF General Regulations to be eligible for ISSF Competitions. The final decision will
be adopted by the ISSF Executive Committee.

15. WORLD RANKING CONSIDERATIONS
15.1. The points obtained by INAs will count for their world ranking. However, they will be marked asINA instead of BLR or RUS.
16. SELECTION PROCESS
16.1.

All additional rules regarding eligibility for ISSF Competitions have to be observed by RSUand BSSF without any discrimination.

17. ENTRY PROCESS VIA THE ISSF SYSTEM
17.1.

The entry process will be carried out through ISSF System by the respective NF. The entries
have to be made 10 days prior to the final entry deadlines at the latest therefore allowing
the ISSF to check the entries. In case the entries are declined, and no other athlete is eligible,
neither ISSF, nor the organizer is responsible for any costs or damages. All amounts paid atthat stage to the Local Organizing Committees shall not be reimbursed. All entry deadlines
are valid.

18. MISCELLANEOUS
18.1. For each ISSF Competition, the ISSF shall appoint an ad hoc committee consisting of threemembers including the Technical Delegate, Head of Judges and a representative of the organizer, whichshall be responsible for and authorized to give advice in case of disputes related to the behavior ofcompetitors regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as INAs.

19. ENFORCEMENT OF THESE RULES AND SANCTIONS
19.1. Any violation of these Rules, including providing false information shall be sanctioned with anineligibility period of 1 year. In case inaccurate information is provided repeatedly, an ineligibility
period of 4 years can be imposed on the applicant.
19.2. Any infringement committed within the scope of, or in relation to, an ISSF competition, including
but not limited to the prohibition of the wearing of emblems or logos referring to Russia or Belarus or
any communication, whether verbal, non-verbal or written, in support of the war in Ukraine, shall besanctioned with direct and immediate exclusion form the said competition. This sanction shall be
pronounced by the Head of Judges Commission, the Technical Delegate or the Secretary General. Thematter shall then be referred to the respective ISSF Committee to determine an appropriate sanction
which shall be maximum an ineligibility of 4 years.
19.3. Any infringement committed of these rules shall further be subject to disciplinary proceedings by
the ISSF pursuant to the ISSF Disciplinary Code.
19.4. In case it can be established that RSU or BSSF have been involved or have supported any violations
described in these Rules or have committed the violations themselves, the respective NF shall be subject
to sanctions including a possible suspension as an ISSF Member.
19.5. Any discriminatory behavior towards the athletes and their Support Personnel authorized toparticipate in an ISSF competition under the present Rules shall be subject to disciplinary proceedings
pursuant to the ISSF Regulations.
19.6. ISSF shall take all necessary measures to ensure the enforcement of these Rules.
19.7. Any appeal against a decision under the present Rules shall be submitted to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport within twenty-one (21) days from the date of thedecision being appealed. Recourse to ordinary state courts is prohibited.
20. ENTRY INTO FORCE
These ISSF DR have been approved by the Council on 5 December 2023 and enter into effect upon
publication on the ISSF Website.