#Budapest2018

Media Accreditation Process for 2018 Wrestling World Championships Now Open

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 19) – United World Wrestling has opened the press and media accreditation for the 2018 Senior Wrestling World Championships October 20-28 at the Papp László Sports Arena in Budapest.

The nine-day tournament is expected to attract more than 800 athletes from 180 eligible national federations. Budapest last hosted world championships in 2016 with the Senior Wrestling World Championships for Non-Olympic weight categories. The city also hosted the full championships in 2013.

“We are excited to welcome members of the press and media to Budapest,” said Németh SZILÁRD, president of the Hungarian Wrestling Federation. “Our athletes will have excellent conditions and we will make sure to have a beautiful arena for them and for the cameras.”

All interested members of the press are asked to register for the 2018 World Championships using the following link: https://athena.unitedworldwrestling.org/press/post.

National federations who wish to accredit their communications and media staff should use space provided within their official delegation form. National federations will be limited to a total of three NF press credentials.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION


Visa Invitation Letter 

Please contact the LOC directly at: info@budapestwrestling2018.com with the subject, "Visa Invitation Letter”

Accreditation Center 

Press and Media accreditations can be picked up at the BOK Csarnok (SYMA), which is 100m walking distance from the competition hall and "Puskas Ferenc Stadion” metro station

Accommodation 

Hotels are NOT being reserved by the local organizing committee. The LOC asks that media and press look for accommodations on their own and recommends choosing close to subway lines.

Press Questions 

Iglói-Nagy István
press attaché
Tel: +36 30 235 2650
istvan.igloinagy@budapestwrestling2018.com 
press@unitedworldwrestling.org

TV Rights/Broadcasting Questions 

television@united-world-wrestling.org

 

UWW Lifts Restrictions on Belarus, Russia Wrestlers

By United World Wrestling Press

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.