Participation of neutral athletes holding Russian and Belarusian passports at 2025 World Rowing events

Following decisions of the World Rowing Executive Committee in 2023 and 2024 to allow a limited number of eligible athletes holding a Russian or Belarusian passport to compete as individual neutral athletes (AIN) in a limited number of boat classes at its 2023 and 2024 events, World Rowing confirms that it extends the conditions at 2025 World Rowing events.   

The conditions for participation will remain similar as they were in 2024, within an extremely strict framework of eligibility criteria:   

1. Under the principle of absolute neutrality, including no flags, colours, anthems, uniforms, emblems or recognition of any sort – as defined in the Recommended Condition of Participation for Individual Neutral Athletes from the IOC;   
2. Background checks will be performed should they be required by World Rowing;  
3. An enhanced anti-doping control process operated by the International Testing Agency (ITA).   
4. A limited number of boat classes as outlined below:   

2025 World Rowing Cups (Varese, ITA and Lucerne, SUI)  : 1x, 2- and 2x events only, including Para     

2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships (Trakai, LTU)   : all events except 8+    

2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships (Poznan, POL)  : all events except 8+    

2025 World Rowing Championships (Shanghai, CHN)  : 1x, 2- and 2x events only, including Para     

2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals (Rio, BRA) :  Beach Sprint Finals, U19: 1x and 2x events only ; Beach Sprint Finals, Seniors: 1x and 2x events only     

2025 World Rowing Masters Regatta (Banyoles, ESP) : No clubs from RUS or BLR will be allowed to participate at the 2025 WRMR.  RUS and BLR Nationals who are not resident in RUS or BLR and are members of non-RUS/non-BLR registered Rowing clubs in foreign countries will be allowed to participate. Such clubs maybe asked to confirm the membership of these participants.