Polish Sports Minister Jakub Rutnicki declared that Russian and Belarusian volleyball players will not be permitted to play in Poland while the war in Ukraine continues.
Speaking to media outlet Interia following the European Beach Volleyball Championship in Stare Jabłonki, Rutnicki stated that Poland remains firm on its entry conditions. He emphasized that as long as Russian forces attack Ukrainian cities, kill innocent civilians, and direct actions against Poland, athletes representing Russia and Belarus are barred from competing on Polish soil.
The minister acknowledged that Russian competitors are participating in international events in certain other sports depending on the discipline. However, he maintained that Poland will enforce a strict single rule prohibiting Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in events hosted within Polish borders.
The Polish position comes after the International Olympic Committee began encouraging sports federations to readmit Russia to international competition. The International Volleyball Federation, known as FIVB, accepted the recommendation by reinstating Russia to third position in its world rankings and clearing the nation to compete in the upcoming Nations League.
Russian Withdrawal From World Championship
Russia was originally scheduled to compete in next year's Men's Volleyball World Championship, which Poland is set to host from September 10 to 26. Russian officials subsequently withdrew from the tournament, attributing their decision in part to safety and security considerations.
Sebastian Swiderski, president of the Polish Volleyball Federation, expressed relief over Russia's decision not to compete in the tournament. Swiderski stated that organizing the World Championship with Russian involvement would have been extremely difficult because no authority could guarantee the team's safety.
Swiderski referred to the withdrawal as a Solomonic decision reached independently of the Polish federation, adding that recommendations from multiple countries, including Poland, helped bring about the result. He noted that he would not compel players to compete or abstain, but confirmed the federation would meet with the Polish government to determine appropriate action if similar circumstances arise.
Tournament Preparation and Venues
The group stage draw for the Men's Volleyball World Championship will take place in December at the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine. The underground site in southern Poland is a landmark venue that frequently hosts major cultural and sporting ceremonies.
The European Beach Volleyball Championship in Stare Jabłonki, where Rutnicki outlined the government's stance, forms part of Poland's broader roster of international volleyball events. Stare Jabłonki, a village in northern Poland, has long served as a prominent venue for international beach volleyball competitions.
