Russia will open up participation at domestic university games to “friendly” nations after being barred from World University Games

Athletes from countries “friendly” to Russia may be present at this year’s All-Russian Universiade according to comments made by Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin on Wednesday.

Matytsin told Russian state news agency TASS, “this year we are holding the All-Russian Universiade in early July, where we will invite universities from countries that are friendly to us.”

It remains unclear which universities and nations Maytysin and other Russian sports officials may have in mind, but Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan were present during an alternative para sport event held earlier this year.

That event, dubbed “We Are Together. Sports,” was held on short notice following the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision to decline entries from Russia and Belarus over the two nations involvement in the invasion of Ukraine, a clear violation of the Olympic Truce.

Russia and Belarus were also recently excluded from all International University Sports Federation (FISU) competitions and activities until at least the end of 2022. One major consequence of that decision was the inability of both nations to field delegations for this summer’s World University Games in Chengdu, China.

The decision also left question marks hanging over the organization and staging of the 2023 World University Games due to be held in Ekaterinburg, Russia next year. The effect of the FISU Steering Committee’s decision remains unclear in that regard, with no indication given as to whether or not Russia will be allowed to remain as host of the Games.

The matter is further complicated by the odd circumstances surrounding the leadership of the FISU. Oleg Matytsin was re-elected to a second term as president of the FISU back in November 2019. His current term should run until late 2023.

However, Matytsin had to step down as FISU president in early 2021 as part of the sanctions levied against Russia by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). At the time, it was stated Matytsin would return to his post as FISU president following the conclusion of the sanctions on December 17, 2022.

It is unclear how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will affect Matytsin’s ability to transition back into his leadership role at the FISU. Nonetheless, Matytsin has continued to serve as Russian Sports Minister.

The effective ban on Russia and Belarus in international sports, instituted by most sports and sports organizations at the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has forced Russian sports officials to find and create alternate international sporting events for their athletes to compete..

At a domestic sports forum on Wednesday, Matytsin cited statements made by Russian government officials who claimed their country was subject to “unprecedented pressure” and “illegal sanctions” according to TASS.

He stated, “however, our countries [Russia and Belarus] are self-dependent bearing huge resources, experience and sports structure. I am positive that we will continue implementing our bilateral initiatives and become stronger by showing everyone the principle of unity.”

The direction Russian and Belarusian sports officials will go in that regard remains uncertain, but Russian Paralympic Committee Acting President Pavel Rozhkov hinted at some possibilities following the conclusion of Russia’s alternative winter para sporting event, stating, “we are pondering the organization of the Games on a regular basis. A matter of their frequency would be decided later.”

He continued “we plan [on] organizing such Games for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) member states. Participation invitations to other countries, including from Europe, are also possible.”

Rozhkov concluded, “we have grand opportunities for hosting such tournaments and they include the infrastructure, the refereeing staff, the organization and, most importantly, our desire to host them.”

While there are uncertainties around what international participation will look like at the All-Russian Universiade later this summer, it is clear that Russia intends to forge ahead with its own international sporting events.

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