Overview
- The change will first apply at the World Junior Mixed Doubles Championship in Edmonton on May 5–10, 2026.
- The Russian Curling Federation says it received official confirmation from World Curling and has submitted an entry for the Edmonton event.
- The Edmonton championship serves as a qualifying stage for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, according to Russian officials.
- Junior teams from Russia and Belarus may compete with national flags, anthems, uniforms and country names under the new policy.
- World Curling is the fourth international federation to adopt the IOC’s December guidance for youth events, following FEI, FIE and FIVB.