World Table Tennis Body Reinstates Russian Players With Flag and Anthem

July 13, 2026 REUTERS / Ramil Sitdikov/ Russian table tennis players will again be allowed to compete under their national flag and anthem, the International Table Tennis Federation announced Monday, making it the latest sport to reinstate Russian athletes after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The reinstatement applies to both individual and team events, as well as to athletes with physical impairments, and takes effect on July 28, the ITTF said in a statement published on its website. “This decision does not diminish ITTF’s support for Ukraine, nor its concern for those who continue to be affected by the conflict,” the organization said. “ITTF remains committed to supporting the table tennis community in Ukraine through different channels.” The move follows the IOC’s decision last week to provisionally reverse its suspension of the ROC to provide “equal access” to Russian athletes and teams ahead of qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games and the 2028 Winter Youth Olympics in Italy. Following the IOC decision, the International Volleyball Federation also reinstated Russian teams and officials. The IOC ban was originally imposed in October 2023 when the ROC began including sports organizations in occupied Ukraine as its own members. The IOC said Russia has since assured them “it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories [of occupied Ukraine].” The ITTF said Monday that its decision is still contingent on foreign governments granting Russian athletes visas and the athletes passing anti-doping regulations. It added that while Russian athletes can compete in ITTF championships and events under their national symbols, it does not automatically mean that the Russian flag will be displayed and the anthem played at the 2028 Olympics. Read more about: Sports Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Polish Endurance Cyclist Dies While Trying to Reach Russia’s Coldest Inhabited Settlement Adam Borejko was in the middle of a nearly month-long journey from the city of Yakutsk to the village of Oymyakon in the Arctic Circle. 2 Min read Olympic High Jump Champion Lasitskene Considers Retirement Amid International Competition Ban “I personally can no longer find the motivation to compete only in domestic competitions,” Maria Lasitskene told state media. 1 Min read Billionaire Usmanov’s Fencing Federation Reinstates Russia and Belarus for Team Events Russian Fencing Federation President Ilgar Mamedov welcomed the move but cautioned that Russia would send a “weakened squad” due to ongoing restrictions... 1 Min read Officials Discussing U.S.-Russia Hockey Matches in St. Petersburg and Washington D.C., Sports Minister Says “The matches are indeed possible. Private negotiations are underway,” Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said. 2 Min read