Development

Development Department Revamps Academy for Educators and National Federations

Thursday, February 18, 2021 - 04:33 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 18) -- United World Wrestling has revamped its online Academy to help prepare its worldwide community with at-home courses for educators and a new, interactive platform for national federations.  

 Coaches and educators looking to attend a Level I and II Coaches Course will now be able to fulfill their classroom practicum prior to signing up for on-the-mat sessions. The splitting of the course will allow for more concentration and preparation for the educators and the attendees. 

 “This system is a first of its kind for wrestling,” said UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY. “We saw an opportunity during this pandemic to expand our offering and make it more accessible to more educators, coaches and referees. Our hope is that we can have this space for years to come.” 

National federations were also granted their own pages with the ability to update their schedule and locations of training camps and UWW courses. Through direct control the national federations are better suited to be responsive to the individual needs of their internal stakeholders. The pages are also promotional, allowing for several photos to be shared by the national federation, adding further promotion and transparency for each course and event. 

 "Spain is thrilled to be able to count on "UWW Academy" to help our athletes, coaches and referees get more training and unified information on the Olympic Wrestling." said Francisco Javier IGLESIAS SERNA, President of Wrestling Federation of Spain. "This will be a good tool to keep up with international rules and new trends in training.” 

 The academy is still growing, with special focus on the delivery of high-level membership services, step-by-step guidance, and other useful administrative tools. Additional NF workshop dates will be sent out following the continental qualifiers in March and April.

UWW Lifts Restrictions on Belarus, Russia Wrestlers

Friday, May 15, 2026 - 03:02 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 15) -- United World Wrestling will allow Belarusian and Russian wrestlers to compete without restrictions at upcoming UWW competitions with immediate effect.

Under the updated participation guidelines, wrestlers from Belarus and Russia will compete under their respective national flags at all age-group levels, including senior. Athlete and staff uniforms may now bear the country initials “RUS” and “BLR,” while the national anthems of both countries will be played during medal ceremonies at UWW events if their wrestlers win gold medals or a team wins a championship.

All other standard UWW competition protocols will remain in effect in accordance with international wrestling rules.

In January, UWW had approved the participation of all wrestlers from the two countries up to the U23 age-group level under their respective national flags following an IOC recommendation that youth athletes holding Belarusian or Russian passports should no longer face restrictions on participation in sports events, including team competitions.

UWW first issued a statement on the geopolitical situation surrounding Ukraine in March 2022 and aligned with measures recommended by the IOC. At the time, UWW decided that wrestlers and officials belonging to affiliated and associated federations in Belarus and Russia would not be invited or allowed to participate in international competitions on the UWW calendar.

In April 2023, UWW formed an independent panel to verify the eligibility of wrestlers from Belarus and Russia based on the IOC’s recommended conditions of participation. At the same time, UWW approved wrestlers in the U15 and U17 age categories to compete as neutral athletes in international competitions.

UWW issued another update to the eligibility criteria for Belarusian and Russian wrestlers in September 2024. In February 2025, UWW announced that all eligible wrestlers from Belarus and Russia would compete under the UWW flag, removing the “Individual Neutral Athletes” designation. However, UWW did not authorize the use of national anthems or references to the flags, symbols, or coats of arms of Belarus and Russia.