The UCI has approved Russian and Belarusian cyclists to compete individually as neutrals from June 1, subject to meeting strict conditions ©Getty Images

The International Cycling Union has approved Russian and Belarusian cyclists to compete as individual neutral athletes from June 1, although national teams will remain banned.

The participation of Russian and Belarusian cyclists as individual neutrals is subject to them meeting criteria including not having an involvement or association with either country, their respective National Federation or their respective National Olympic Committee.

Cyclists from Russia or Belarus wishing to be considered for participation as neutrals are required to not have links with the Army of either country, to not associate in any way with flags, emblems, anthems or symbols of either country, or to show active support for the war in any form.

The UCI has maintained the authorisation applied in March 2022 allowing Russians and Belarusians to participate in events on its international calendar, as well as World Cups in certain disciplines, with a UCI registered or club team that is not Russian or Belarusian in nationality.

The UCI’s Management Committee also agreed to maintain a ban on Russian and Belarusian national teams at its events, the non-recognition of any bids to host World Cups or World Championships in either country, the non-acceptance of applications to register Russian or Belarusian teams in either discipline, a ban on sponsorship by Russian or Belarusian companies and brands, and bans on any emblems, names, acronyms, flags or anthems linked to either country.

The UCI reiterated its firm condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Belarus during its Management Committee meeting ©Getty Images
The UCI reiterated its firm condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Belarus during its Management Committee meeting ©Getty Images

On the second of a three-day meeting in Sardinia, Italy, the UCI also condemned the war in Ukraine and called for athletes to be treated equally, regardless of nationality.

The UCI said it "reiterates its firm condemnation of the aggression of Ukraine by the Russian Government, supported by the Belarusian Government, and {calls} once again for a rapid resolution of the conflict in accordance with the provisions of international law."

The governing body also restated "its commitment to political neutrality" and said it believed in the "right of all athletes, regardless of their nationality, to be treated without discrimination."

Finally, the UCI allocated CHF100,000 (£89,000/$112,000/€101,000) to financially support the Ukrainian Cycling Federation and its athletes, and announced that it would host Ukrainian cyclists aiming to participate at the Paris 2024 Olympics at its World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, in a bid to qualify a maximum of Ukrainian athletes for the event.

The UCI says its latest decision are in line with International Olympic Committee recommendations in March 2023, when its Executive Board told International Federations that individual Russian and Belarusian athletes could return to competitions, albeit as neutrals.