UIPM Executive Board decisions: Belarus; Vice President of Business Affairs

• All restrictions lifted from participation of Belarus athletes and teams
• President Stull thanks all athletes for respecting the AIN process
• Dr Viacheslav Malishev appointed Vice President of Business Affairs

Athletes and teams from Belarus will have free rein to represent their country in UIPM Sports from next week, after the UIPM Executive Board agreed to lift all restrictions against their participation.

Belarusian athletes have competed as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) following UIPM’s alignment with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendations in March 2023 and the appointment of an independent panel to review AIN eligibility two months later.

On May 7, 2026, the IOC recommended that Belarus athletes and teams be relieved of any restrictions remaining across global sport, instigating the following motion to be put before the UIPM EB:

• UIPM will lift the restrictions on Belarusian athletes, effective immediately for all future UIPM events (excluding the upcoming World Cup in Pazardzhik), Belarusian athletes will be permitted to compete under their national uniform, flag, and anthem.

EB Members voted in favour of the motion, meaning that the Belarus Modern Pentathlon Federation will be able to send fully representative athletes to UIPM competitions starting with UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Cup Budapest from June 9-13. Belarus will also be eligible for team medals and relay participation during World Championships across all age groups later this year.

The AIN system for Belarus athletes will be implemented one more time during UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Cup Pazardzhik (which starts tomorrow, May 13). Meanwhile, the AIN system for Russia athletes remains in place until further notice.

UIPM President Rob Stull said: “In the reasoning behind its decision of May 7, the IOC clearly stated that athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments. We are pleased that this principle has been reaffirmed in the decision to restore normal competition conditions for Belarus athletes, and I’m glad that the UIPM Executive Board has followed that reasoning.

“Belarusian athletes have participated on a neutral basis in our competitions since 2023, without incident. I am grateful to all parties for respecting the process that we implemented, which has ensured the safety of all athletes.

“Finally, I would like to reiterate our support for the community members in Ukraine whose lives continue to be affected by the military occupation of their country. As a global sports organisation, we are committed to promoting the field of play as a place where people can forget their differences and come together, competing in a spirit of peace and respect.”

President Stull chaired an online meeting of the EB on May 10, in which he nominated Vice President Dr Viacheslav Malishev for appointment to the vacant statutory position of Vice President for Business Affairs. The recommendation was unanimously accepted and will take effect immediately.

Now in the 10th year of his EB service, Dr Malishev has been President of the Georgian Modern Pentathlon and Triathlon Federation since 2012.

Dr Malishev commented: “I would like to thank President Stull for nominating me for the position of UIPM Vice President for Business Affairs, and I am grateful to colleagues on the Executive Board for their support.

“We find ourselves at a very exciting intersection, where rising participation and a growth in popularity of UIPM Sports brings enhanced commercial opportunities. I am looking forward to combining my business background with my years of leadership in Pentathlon to fulfil the important responsibilities of this new position.”