ITTF Lifts Russian Player Ban: Sidorenko to Compete Under Russian Flag from July 28 After US Smash Runner-Up Finish
Vladimir Sidorenko will no longer need to compete as an “Individual Neutral Athlete” (AIN). He will be able to represent Russia in international table tennis competitions — a significant development for Russian table tennis.
Sidorenko recently competed under AIN status at the 2026 WTT Grand Smash in Los Angeles, making a remarkable run to the final at Maverick Arena before losing to Japan’s Matsushima Sora. Athletes under AIN status cannot display national flags or have national anthems played.
The US Grand Smash field included every ITTF top-10 player. Sidorenko’s run to the final was exceptional: he defeated Sifuentes (Argentina), Duda (Germany), Harimoto Tomokazu, Hiroto Shinozuka (Japan), and Möregård — three of those opponents ranked in the world top 20.
As Russia’s 2026 national champion, Sidorenko stated that beating top players requires facing them more often. His world ranking jumped to No. 16 — the first time a Russian male player has returned to the top 20 since Alexei Smirnov in 2008. He will compete under the Russian flag at WTT Grand Smash Europe in Malmö, August 16-18.
ITTF Official Statement
The ITTF Executive Committee held an online meeting on July 10 to review participation of athletes holding Russian passports. The decision, effective July 28, 2026, reinstates Russian passport holders under the same conditions as all other athletes, consistent with the IOC Executive Committee’s July 7 decision and the ITTF’s prior reinstatement of Belarusian passport holders.
Russian-passport athletes must comply with all applicable rules, including eligibility requirements, registration, anti-doping obligations, and competition regulations. The ITTF also reaffirmed its support for the Ukrainian table tennis community, acknowledging the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on Ukrainian athletes, coaches, clubs, and their families. This decision does not diminish ITTF’s support for Ukraine.
