The Council of the International Handball Federation (IHF) on July 15 provisionally lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian teams and officials, allowing them to return to international competitions. The sports body said its decision, which comes into effect immediately, aligns with International Olympic Committee's (IOC) latest recommendations, just one week after the IOC announced it was lifting its own prohibitions against Russia and Belarus. The IHF's decision formally lift the prohibitio

All sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus in world handball in February 2022 after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine have been lifted.

The IHF said that full reintegration may require a transition period for both Russian and Belarusian teams and officials