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The existing AIN Policy will remain fully in force until 31 December 2026. Until that date, participation will continue under the conditions currently established by Paddle Worldwide.

From 1 January 2027, eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes and support personnel will once again be permitted to represent their respective countries using their national names, identification, uniforms, flags and anthems.

The decision was approved by the Paddle Worldwide Board following the International Olympic Committee's provisional lifting, on 7 July 2026, of the recommendations which had formed the basis of the Paddle Worldwide policy introduced in June 2023.

Specific arrangements for previously awarded events

For competitions that were awarded to organisers before 1 January 2027, Paddle Worldwide has established a three-step process to address situations in which local legislation or binding government restrictions may affect the participation of Russian or Belarusian delegations.

Step 1 – Full National Participation

Full national representation will be the standard arrangement from 1 January 2027.

Eligible athletes and Athlete Support Personnel will be permitted to participate using:

• National names and identification
• National uniforms
• National flags
• National anthems

Step 2 – Limited National Representation

This arrangement will only be used when local law or a binding government restriction makes full national participation impossible.

Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel will still be able to compete using their national names, identification and uniforms.

However, national flags and anthems will not be used during medal ceremonies or other official ceremonies.

Step 3 – Individual Neutral Participation

Individual Neutral Athlete status will only apply when local law or a binding government restriction prevents participation under both Step 1 and Step 2.

Under these circumstances, eligible athletes and Athlete Support Personnel will participate under an individual Paddle Worldwide neutral designation, without national names, identification, uniforms, flags or anthems.

Paddle Worldwide has confirmed that the three arrangements will be applied in sequence, with a move to the next step only when the preceding option cannot be implemented because of local law or a binding government restriction.

Full national participation required for future event hosts

For events awarded from 1 January 2027 onwards, organisers will be required to guarantee access and full national participation for all eligible athletes and Athlete Support Personnel.

The current Individual Neutral Athlete Policy and other Paddle Worldwide regulations remain available through the organisation's official rules page.

For Paddle Europe events taking place during the remainder of 2026, the existing AIN regulations therefore remain unchanged and continue to apply until 31 December 2026.