Russian Volleyball Returns to the Nations League but Will Skip the World Championship in Poland

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has allowed Russia's men's and women's national teams to return to the Nations League. As a result of this decision, the number of teams competing in the tournament will rise from eighteen to nineteen, according to the Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda.

Ukrainian athletes will continue to take part in the tournament as well. Despite its return to the Nations League, Russia has already voluntarily withdrawn from the upcoming men's World Championship, which will be hosted by reigning champion Poland. As for the women's tournament, set to take place next year in the United States and Canada, Russia has not yet stated an official position.

The issue of admitting Russian athletes came back into focus this spring, when Russian Paralympians competed under their own flag for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine. In July, the International Olympic Committee also temporarily lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee's membership.

Following that, football's governing body FIFA said it too intends to discuss a possible return of the Russian national team to international competitions, although this move could be blocked by European body UEFA. The International Ice Hockey Federation, however, took the opposite approach: last week it extended the ban on Russian participation in its competitions until at least the 2027-28 season.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz